Volunteer lifeboat crews from Newhaven and Eastbourne RNLI pulled off a daring rescue after a yacht lost steering in rough seas off the Sussex coast.
Distress Call Cuts Training Short
The drama unfolded at 10:48am on Sunday, March 1, when Newhaven’s crew were mid-towing exercise aboard their all-weather lifeboat. They received a call from a 14-metre yacht drifting two and a half miles from Newhaven harbour, helpless after losing steering.
On board, two of the three crew were badly seasick, unable to manage the vessel safely as it drifted dangerously close to shore. With rough seas making evacuation too risky, the lifeboat crew made a quick call: secure a tow and haul the yacht to safety.
First Shout for New Crew Members
The rescue was also a milestone for two volunteers. Marty McDonald McCrossan made his first shout, while Emmeline Ravilious joined her first rescue since qualifying as Tier 2 crew.
Teamwork Brings Yacht to Safe Harbour
Conditions forced the decision to head for Sovereign Harbour. Eastbourne RNLI launched their lifeboat at 12:36 pm and met the Newhaven crew about two miles off Eastbourne Pier, where the seas were calmer.
Newhaven passed the tow to Eastbourne, who then towed the yacht safely through the harbour locks and handed it over to harbour staff.
