Callouts from: 2006 2007

Eastbourne Lifeboats Callouts 2008

ALB Launch Number 22

The All Weather Lifeboat was launched at Dover Coastguards request, to assist a 14 metre Dutch sailing boat with engine failure two miles south of Sovereign Harbour.

The casualty, with four persons on board, was passed a tow line and towed into Sovereign Harbour.

Due to the strong cross winds, the lifeboat boarding boat was launched and a tow line rigged to the stern of the sailing boat and used to help keep a straight course whilst entering the port lock.

ALB Launch Number 21

Dover Coastguard paged for the All Weather Lifeboat to launch to 7 metre motor boat with engine failure.

The casualty with two persons on board was 7.68 miles south of Sovereign Harbour.

When on scene a tow line was passed over and the motor boat was towed back to Sovereign Harbour.

ALB Launch Number 20

Dover Coastguard paged for the All Weather Lifeboat to launch, to assist a fishing boat with engine failure.

The casualty was four and a half miles east of Sovereign Harbour.

The ALB with a crew of five, passed a tow line over to the casualty, which had a crew of two persons on board, then towed them back to Sovereign Harbour where the Harbour work boat was waiting to tow them into the lock.

ILB Launch Number 23

The Inshore Lifeboat launched to the report of an inflatable toy dinghy off Hollywell was in difficulty.

When on scene the casualty two small children were transferred to the beach along with the inflatable.

ILB Launch Number 22

The Inshore Lifeboat launched to the report of an inflatable toy dinghy off the Bandstand was in difficulty.

When on scene the casualty was transferred to the beach along with the inflatable.

ILB Launch Number 21

The Inshore Lifeboat was launched with a crew off two, to the report of two persons in difficulty off Pevensey Bay.

The Coastguard fixed wing search and rescue plane was also tasked to assist.

The casualties were found and were transferred to the shore, both were just cold and happy to be safe back on shore.

The ILB crew gave them some safety advise and then both the ILB and The Coastguard plane were told to return to station.

ALB Launch Number 19

ILB Launch Number 20

A request from Dover MRCC to initially launch the Inshore Lifeboat to a report of a large number of students jumping from the pier with potentially

one missing in the sea.

A further request was then made by Dover MRCC to also launch the All Weather Lifeboat to assist in the search.

White para flares were fired to illuminate the area

With both lifeboats on scene the confirmation with the Eastbourne Coastguard team was that all persons were accounted for.

The lifeboats returned to station and were refueled and made ready for service again.

The incident would be deemed a false alarm with good intent.

ILB Launch Number 19 (standby)

Following a 999 report of a person in an inflatable in possible trouble approximately a thousand metres off the beach at Fisherman's Green.

Dover Coastguard requested the Inshore Lifeboat launch to assist.

As the ILB was about to launch the Coastguard requested they stand down as a passing rescue boat from Spray Water Sports had assisted the casualty ashore.  ( A false alarm with good intent).

ALB Launch Number 18

Dover Coastguard paged for the All Weather Lifeboat to launch, to assist a forty five foot Motor Cruiser, reported to be taking on water.

The casualty was five miles south west of Sovereign Harbour.

When on scene the situation was assessed, and the vessel was escorted to Sovereign Harbour for immediate lift out.

Photo taken by Rodney Gygax.

ILB Launch Number 18

Dover MRCC requested the ILB to launch to a report of a wind-surfer who had parted from his board due to a failure in his rigging and was attempting to make for the shore at Pevensey Bay. The crew were paged and launched immediately with a crew of three.

Once on scene the crew of the ILB established the wind-surfer was safely ashore.  With the assistance of RAF Rescue Helicopter 125 from Wattisham who was in the area on exercise the ILB located and recovered the wind-surfer’s sail to return it to him.

Establishing all was safe and well the ILB returned to station, refueled and was made ready for service again.

photograph taken from beach by Hayley Bedows

ALB Launch Number 17

ILB Launch Number 17

Dover Coastguard called for both boats to launch to search for a ten foot fibreglass dinghy reported overdue.

The casualty was found a mile and half off Pevensey Sailing club with all three persons on board enjoying an afternoon fishing.

The inshore lifeboat then escorted the dingy back to the shore. (A false alarm with good intent).

ILB Launch Number 16

On returning from the weekly exercise the ILB was requested to check out the report of a wind surfer in trouble south / west of the harbour.

The casualty was found safe and well on the beach. (A false alarm with good intent).

ALB Launch Number 16

ILB Launch Number 15

Both boats were launched to assist the Eastbourne & Birling Gap Coastguard in the recovery of a body at the foot of Beachy Head.

The casualty was recovered by the cliff rescue team.

Four members of the Coastguard were transferred from the beach to the All Weather Lifeboat by the Inshore Lifeboat. The ALB then transferred them back to Sovereign Harbour.

Both boats then continued with their Sunday morning exercise.

ALB Launch Number 15

The All Weather Lifeboat was tasked to assist a thirty two foot sailing boat with a crew of two. The casualty had a fishing net entangled around its propeller and was unable to manoeuvre under power.

The ALB launched with Dan Guy (Deputy Coxswain/ Mechanic) at the helm and a crew of six. when on scene, sixteen miles south west of Sovereign Harbour, Dan transferred one crew member over to assist with rigging a tow line.

The casualty was then towed back to Sovereign Harbour.

ILB Launch Number 14

The ILB re launched to assist a wind surfer reported to be in trouble 400 metres of the Redoubt,

When on the scene it was found that the casualties sail and board had parted company.

The ILB transferred the wind surfer and his board back to the beach near to the Redoubt, they then returned to station.

ILB Launch Number 13

The Inshore Lifeboat launched with a crew of three at the request of Dover Coastguard, to assist in the recovery of a body at Beachy Head in the Belle Tout area.

The casualty was recovered and the ILB also transported two members of the Eastbourne Coastguard.

ALB Launch Number 14

The All Weather lifeboat with a crew of six was launched to the report of twenty six foot motor cruiser with power failure.

The casualty was reported four miles south of the Sovereign Centre, with no power they had to call the Costguard using a mobile telephone.

When on the scene, one of the lifeboat crew had to transfer over to raise the anchor.

The motor cruiser was then towed back to Sovereign Harbour.

ALB Launch Number 13

As the All Weather lifeboat was entering Sovereign Harbour with the eight metre motor cruiser, the Coastguard requested the ALB re launch to assist a sailing boat with engine failure half a mile off the entrance to Sovereign Harbour.

After a tow line was passed the casualty was towed into Sovereign Harbour.

ALB Launch Number 12

Dover Coastguard requested the All Weather Lifeboat launch to assist an eight metre motor cruiser with broken prop shaft,

The casualty with ten persons on board was a mile and a quarter south of the Eastbourne pier,

When on the scene a tow line was passed and the motor cruiser was towed back to Sovereign Harbour, where the Harbour work boat was waiting in the outer harbour to take over the tow.

ILB Launch Number 12

The ILB launched to the report of a young female in the sea off the Carton hotel, when on the scene the crew found the casualty had been helped ashore by friends.

After checking to see if she needed first aid the ILB stood down and returned to service.

ILB Launch Number 11

The Lifeboat Operations Manager was monitoring a number of incidents on the radio in the area between Eastbourne and Seaford, hearing of another casualty at Cow Gap he offered the services of the Inshore Lifeboat to the Coastguard.

The casualty was reported as an injured person with a suspected fracture of the shoulder.

The ILB crew were paged and launched immediately.

On their arrival at the location it was discovered the casualty was in fact not on the beach but higher up on the cliffs near Cow Gap. An ambulance was in attendance.

Dr Stephen Lytton (Deputy Lifeboat Medical Advisor and crewmember) had missed the launch of the ILB so he drove to Cow Gap and assisted the Paramedics with the casualty.

The ILB was then returned to station refueled and made ready for service.

ILB Launch Number 10

Whilst returning from the callout to the two persons in the sea, the ILB was tasked to assist a person in the sea off the end of Eastbourne pier. It was reported that the casualty had fallen off the pier and was in danger of drowning.

The casualty was located on the shore and Dr Lytton again gave first aid and stayed until the ambulance arrived.

ILB Launch Number 9

The Inshore Lifeboat was paged for an immediate launch to assist two persons in the sea off Pevensey Bay.

The ILB launched with a crew of three. When on the scene, they found that the casualties had been assisted back to shore by a wind surfer. Dr Stephen Lytton (Deputy Lifeboat Medical Advisor and crew member) was put ashore to check the casualties for any injuries. One of the casualties was in need of oxygen. Dr Lytton stayed ashore until the ambulance arrived.

Meanwhile the ILB recovered the upturned Kayak that the two persons had been using and towed it to the shore.

ILB Launch Number 8

ALB Launch Number 11

The Eastbourne All Weather Lifeboat was launched on receiving a report of a 50ft Motor Cruiser with an engine room fire close inshore at Langney Point. The initial report was made to the crew of the ALB by the Sovereign Harbour lockkeeper. The crew had been manning the Lifeboat for the Premier Marina Road show and Boat show in Sovereign Harbour. The Lifeboat with a crew of five on board were on scene within seven minutes of launching. The engine room fire on the vessel which had a crew of two had died out but causing extensive smoke damage.   The ALB passed a tow-line and slowly towed the casualty back to Sovereign Harbour. On return to the lock firemen from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service checked that fire was fully extinguished and all was safe. The casualty was then returned to its mooring with the assistance of the Lifeboat.The Lifeboat was again made ready for service

           casualty being towed into Sovereign Harbour                 casualty being towed back to its berth

ALB Launch Number 10

ILB Launch Number 7

A full scale air and sea search rescue operation was launched at 1900 hours on Monday evening with four RNLI Lifeboats, a Coastguard helicopter, a Coastguard fixed wing aircraft and three Coastguard Rescue Units being tasked to search four an overdue RIB (reinforced inflatable boat). Reports were received the vessel had left Rye Harbour at 1400hrs on passage to Sovereign Harbour Eastbourne with three persons on board being overdue at its destination.

Eastbourne’s two lifeboats “The Royal Thames” and the Eastbourne Inshore Lifeboat, along with Hastings Inshore Lifeboat and Rye Lifeboat searched along the Sussex Coast to locate the overdue vessel.

At approximately 1935hrs Eastbourne’s All Weather Lifeboat located the missing craft ashore close to Cooden Beach. With the help of Hastings and Eastbourne’s Inshore Lifeboats the craft was re-floated and towed to Sovereign Harbour by the Eastbourne Lifeboat.

All other search units were stood down by Dover Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre and returned to their respective stations.

By 2045hrs the Eastbourne Lifeboat had returned to Sovereign Harbour with the overdue vessel,  re-fuelled and made ready for service again.

ALB Launch Number 9

The All Weather Lifeboat had just entered the inner harbour and was passing the Waterfront on its way to being lifted out for antifouling, when the pager called for "Launch ALB".

After a quick turn round of the locks, the ALB left the harbour in a easterly direction to assist a nineteen foot commercial fishing boat with engine failure just off Pevensey Bay.

When on the scene a tow line was passed and the vessel was towed back to the beach adjacent to the Allchorn sheds.

The ALB then returned to the lift out bay for its lift out and wash off.

Photo taken by Guy Emery using a camera phone.

ILB Launch Number 6

Dover Coastguard requested the ILB launch to help in the search for a person believed to have fallen over Beachy Head.

The ILB launched with a crew of four. One crew member was put ashore near to the Beachy Head lighthouse and started to search in a westerly direction, meanwhile another crew member was put ashore in the Belle Toute area and he started a search back in an easterly direction, The ILB did a search of the shoreline.

The casualty was found and transported back to the ILB station where the police were waiting.

ALB Launch Number 8

Dover Coastguard received a request for assistance from a small commercial fishing boat with engine failure in Pevensey Bay.

A second small fishing boat had a tow line to the casualty but didn't have enough power to cope with the sea state.

A tow line was passed over and the casualty was towed back to the beach by Eastbourne fishing station.

ALB Launch Number 7

ILB Launch Number 5

At the request of Dover Coastguard, the DLA (Deputy Launching Authority) paged for both lifeboats to launch.

The casualty was a sixteen year old girl who had fallen over Beachy Head in the falling sands area, and had suffered multiple injuries.

The Inshore lifeboat with a crew of four was first on scene along with the Police helicopter. Two members of the ILB crew went ashore and attempted to reach the casualty. After a number of attempts the crew were told to stand down and wait for further instructions.

The All Weather boat with a crew of eight stood by just off shore and assisted with communications between the emergency services involved in the rescue.  The ILB stood by ready for transporting persons from the shore if required.

The Casualty was eventually recovered by a joint effort of the local Coastguard and the Coastguard Helicopter, which transferred her to Eastbourne District General Hospital.

Photo's taken by ILB Crew

                                                            Casualty                                                   Casualty

ALB Launch Number 6

Dover Coastguard received a MAYDAY radio call from a 10 metre sailing boat in trouble in the rough seas off Eastbourne.

The Lifeboat Operations Manager requested an immediate launch of the All Weather Lifeboat to assist.

The crew were paged at 23.52 hrs and launched seventeen minutes later with Mark Robinson, Second Coxswain, at the helm with a crew of six.

As the ALB left Sovereign Harbour, they spotted the casualty drifting towards the rocks at Hollywell.

Radio contact was made and the lifeboat was informed by the skipper of the yacht that there were 3 persons on board and that he had rigging problems, due to the adverse wind and tide they were drifting towards the shore.

Mark Robinson carefully manoeuvred the ALB alongside and passed a tow line which the crew of the yacht made fast.

The casualty, on passage from Ramsgate to Eastbourne, was then towed back to Sovereign Harbour for repairs.

ALB Launch Number 5

The all weather lifeboat had just refueled after it's Sunday morning exercise when Dover Coastguard requested they launch to assist the Newhaven Lifeboat and the Coastguard Helicopter in the search for a man overboard from a Belgian trawler.

The search area was approximately seventeen miles south of Peacehaven.

The casualty was recovered by the Eastbourne ALB and transferred to the Coastguard helicopter for passage to Brighton hospital.

The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to station (an approximately 60 mile round trip).

(Picture of Coastguard helicopter crewman being winched down to ALB taken by Guy Emery)

ILB Launch Number 4

Two young men decided to go for a trip to sea in an inflatable. After finding the off shore wind was blowing them out to sea, they used their mobile telephone to alert the Coastguard of their situation.

The inshore lifeboat was launched to assist. The inflatable was a quarter of a mile off Langney Point,

A commercial fishing boat was passing and stopped to assist the ILB. The casualties were transferred to the fishing boat where Andy Chatton Helmsman and crew member checked their well being.

The two boys were then transferred to Sovereign Harbour where the Coastguard and Police were waiting to talk to them.

ALB Launch Number 4

At 08 .20 hours Dover Coastguard alerted the Lifeboat Operations Manager

to request the all weather (The Royal Thames) launch to a 7 metre fishing vessel broken down with gearbox failure 4 miles  east of Sovereign Harbour with one person onboard.

Eight minutes later the lifeboat launched with a crew of six.(Four Crew and two probationary crew members).

Once on scene one crew member was transferred to the casualty to assist with rigging a tow

The casualty was towed back to Sovereign harbour. 

ILB Launch Number 3

The Coastguard cliff rescue team received a report of a person going over the cliff at Beachy Head from the Beachy Head Chaplains. The ILB launched and was guided to the area by the Police helicopter. They went as near as it was possible to land, and the crew members climbed over the rocks to the casualty.

The casualty was then transferred back to the ILB station where the Police were waiting.

ALB Launch Number 3

ILB Launch Number 2

Both boats were launched at the request of Dover Coastguard to search for two persons walking on the rocks at Beachy Head. It was possible that the persons could have been cut off by the rising tide with darkness approaching. A passing fishing boat had reported seeing the two persons.

After a thorough search of the area, it was assumed that they had managed to walk out safely. Both boats were instructed to stand down and return to station.

ALB Launch Number 2

A Charter boat based at Sovereign Harbour contacted Dover Coastguard, reporting they had found a three and a half metre angling boat drifting eight miles south of Sovereign Harbour.

Dover Coastguard requested the All Weather Lifeboat (The Royal Thames) launch to assist.

The charter boat had taken the casualty in tow and met the Royal Thames approximate three and a half miles off the harbour.

The casualty was in a poor state and believed to have been at sea for some time, is believed to have originated from France, the all weather lifeboat then towed it back to Sovereign Harbour.

ALB Launch Number 1

ILB Launch Number 1

At the request of Dover Coastguard both lifeboats launched to the report of a person having fallen over Beachy Head.

Two crew members of the ILB and two crew members of the ALB were transferred to the shore to search.

Whisky Bravo the Coastguard helicopter joined in the search using its night vision cameras and powerfull search light.

The lifeboat crew men searched an area from Belle Toute to the lighthouse and nothing untoward was found, the search was then called off. The crewmen then had to walk along the rocks to the top of Cow Gap steps, where the Coastguard were waiting to transport them back to the lifeboat stations.