In a display of sheer bravery and expertise, the crew of Newhaven RNLI, led by Coxswain Lewis Arnold, executed a daring rescue operation that saved two individuals stranded at sea during a treacherous thunderstorm. This week, Lewis Arnold received a “Letter of Thanks” from the RNLI Head of Region, Ryan Hall, for his team’s courageous efforts in the early hours of September 18, 2023.
The drama unfolded when the Solent Coastguard received a distress call from a yacht, with two people onboard, caught in a violent thunderstorm. The yacht was facing dire conditions with ripped sails, engine failure, and a rapidly increasing water intake. Located approximately 0.5-1 nautical miles south of Cuckmere, the individuals onboard were in a state of panic, facing imminent danger.
