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The Newhaven volunteer lifeboat crew were called into action following a mayday call from a 17ft speedboat in distress, taking on water west of Beachy Head with two onboard. Launching their Severn Class ALB 17-21 ‘David & Elizabeth Acland’ at 13:45, they raced to the scene. Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 163 was first to arrive, pinpointing the troubled vessel off Cuckmere Haven, west of Beachy Head.

Upon arrival, alongside the Eastbourne Lifeboat, the team immediately checked on the wellbeing of the two individuals aboard the stricken boat, who were then transferred to the safety of the Newhaven Lifeboat. A crew member from Newhaven was dispatched to the speedboat to identify the source of the leak, discovering a significant crack in the boat’s hull. Utilizing a salvage pump, the Newhaven team efficiently removed the incoming water.

Lewis Arnold, the Coxswain, detailed the rescue operation, noting that after expelling the water, they escorted the vessel back to Newhaven Harbour. The operation involved continuous water pumping until they were close enough to the marina, where the boat, now stabilized, was able to navigate to its mooring under its own power.