Eastbourne, February 10, 2024 – Eastbourne Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) celebrated the arrival of their new station All Weather Lifeboat, the ‘Esme Anderson’ 14-02, previously on service at Ramsgate for nearly three decades. The ceremonial arrival took place at Sovereign Harbour, marking a new chapter in the storied history of lifesaving efforts along the coast.
The ‘Esme Anderson’ made a grand entrance into the harbour, escorted by the Eastbourne D Class Inshore Lifeboat ‘David H,’ the station’s current All Weather Lifeboat ‘Henry Heys Duckworth,’ and support from neighbouring stations’ lifeboats in Hastings and Newhaven. Despite the rain, a spirited crowd of supporters, volunteers, and community members gathered to witness and celebrate the momentous occasion.