Callouts from: 2007 2008 2009 2010

Eastbourne Lifeboats Callouts 2006

ILB Launch Number 38

The Inshore Lifeboat launched to a report of an inflatable with for persons on board, possibly in difficulty one and a half miles south of the Wish Tower. When on the scene the ILB found the four persons happily fishing and in no danger.

ILB Launch Number 37

Following a report of four swimmers in trouble half a mile off the Wish Tower, Dover Coastguard called for the Inshore Lifeboat  and the All Weather Lifeboat to launch to assist. When on the scene the swimmers were found to be safe and not in need of assistance. The ALB launch was cancelled just before they left the mooring.

Dover Coastguard requested the Lifeboat to assist a 42ft Dutch yacht en passage from Southampton to Holland.

One crew member had two severed fingers and was in need of medical assistance. The yacht entered the Sovereign Harbour lock and Coxswain Mark Sawyer assisted by crewmember Hayley Beddows and crew member and Paramedic Guy Emmery, gave first aid until the ambulance arrived to transfer the injured person to Eastbourne DGH.

Both boats were called to launch to report of a dog in the water with swimmers trying to assist it. The launch was cancelled before the boats launched.

ALB Launch Number 37

Whilst returning from its sunday morning exercise, the All Weather Lifeboat was informed by Sovereign Harbour that 38ft yacht  had engine failure a quarter of a mile north east of the harbour. Mark Sawyer, the Coxswain of the ALB, informed the Mayor of Eastbourne, who was on board the ALB with his daughter (The Lady Mayoress) that they would be involved in a rescue. The yacht was passed a tow line and towed into the harbour.

ALB Launch Number 36

Dover Coastguard called for the All Weather Lifeboat to launch to a 26ft French yacht with engine failure 1 mile south of Sovereign Harbour. A tow was passed to the two persons on board and the ALB towed them into Sovereign Harbour.

ILB Launch Number 36

The Coastguard covering Airbourne telephoned the ILB station and requested they launch to three youths in a dingy who were in trouble just east of Eastbourne pier. The ILB were soon on the scene and helped them back to the shore.

ALB Launch Number 35

ILB Launch Number 35

Whilst covering the Airbourne show, the Inshore Lifeboat spotted four persons on a 17ft angling boat trying to attract their attention. The angling boat had taken on water from the rough sea and fouled the outboard motor on their anchor warp.

The All weather lifeboat took the four persons on board and passed over the salvage pump with two crew to assist in pumping out and securing a tow line.

The Inshore Lifeboat towed the angling boat back to Sovereign Harbour, and the All Weather Lifeboat escorted them and transfered the four people back to Sovereign Harbour.

ALB Launch Number 34

Dover Coastguard allerted the Eastbourne Lifeboat that they had received two hits on an EPIRB eight miles south east of Sovereign Harbour.

The All Weather Lifeboat was launched and with the Coastguard fixed wing airplane (Echo November) tasked a box search of the area.

After an hour and half searching the area Dover Coastguard called off the search indicating the vessel in question was in fact safe and sound.

(EPIRBs)Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons are tracking transmitters that operate as part of the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system. When activated, the beacons send out a distress signal that allows the beacon to be located by the satellite system.

ALB Launch Number 33

After numerous reports of several red flares, The Coastguard called for the All Weather Lifeboat to launch and search the coastline from Sovereign Harbour to Hollywell. The combined search of the area by the ALB and the Coastguard revealed nothing.

From further enquiries it was assumed that the flares were fired from the shore by persons unknown.

ILB Launch Number  34

Dover Coastguard called for the ILB to launch to a report of a capsized canoe with persons missing, a quarter of a mile off Normans Bay.

On arrival at the scene the two people had managed to swim ashore and were found to be safe and sound. The ILB then towed the canoe back to the beach where the two canoeists were waiting.

ILB Launch Number  33

The Inshore lifeboat was launched to a 32ft sailing boat with rigging failure 1 mile south of Langney Point.

Two members of the ILB crew were transferred to the sailing boat to assist with securing the rigging and making the boat safe to maneuvere into the harbour for repairs. Once this had been completed the two crew members stayed on board whilst the sailing boat motored into Sovereign Harbour, escorted by the ILB.

ILB Launch Number  32

The ILB was launched to a report of a swimmer in difficulty between the pier and the bandstand, after a search of the area and no casualty was found the ILB was instructed to return to station. (A report with good intent)

ILB Launch Number  31

The Coastguard were recovering a casualty at Beachy Head when they spotted two people climbing up the cliffs,

The ILB was launched to transport the people who had been cut off by the rising tide back to Eastbourne.

The two who were down from London on a day trip were walking on the rocks from Birling Gap to Eastbourne when the tide came in. The ILB picked them up by the falling sands and transported them back to The Inshore Lifeboat Station where one of the rescued people was treat for cuts on one leg.

ALB Launch Number 32

Dover Coastguard alerted the Eastbourne Lifeboat to a thirty-eight foot yacht with a fishing net around it's propeller, twenty-three miles off Sovereign Harbour

(in the centre of the separation zone of the east  - west shipping lanes).

Mark Sawyer, the Coxswain, and five other crew members launched the All Weather Lifeboat to assist. It was a one and a half hour journey to the casualty, 20 miles out into the English Channel. Mark Robinson, the second Coxswain of the ALB, transferred over to the sailing boat to help the two people on board to rig a tow line, after which the Royal Thames started the long tow back to Sovereign Harbour.

  Fishing net entangled in propeller           Mark Sawyer rigging a tow line         Royal Thames towing into Harbour

ALB Launch Number 31

The All Weather Lifeboat was launched to a 34 ft Yacht four miles east of Sovereign Harbour. The yacht was entangled in fishing gear and was unable to move. One member of the lifeboat crew was transfered to help the four persons rig a tow line, after which the ALB towed them back to Sovereign Harbour.

ILB Launch Number  30

The ILB was launched to a 12ft capsized ski boat that had been towing an inflatable donut  one mile off Pevensey Bay. The two people from the ski boat were taken aboard the ILB and a line was fastened to the upside down craft and towed back to the beach at Pevensey Bay.

ILB Launch Number  29

Dover Coastguard requested the ILB launch to a 6.3 metre RIB with engine failure 200 metres off Cow Gap

(Beachy Head). The ILB towed the RIB back to Sovereign Harbour.

ALB Launch Number 30

The All Weather lifeboat was launched to assist a 23 metre motor yacht with engine failure in the shipping lanes, eleven miles south east of Sovereign Harbour. The motor yacht had problems with it's gear boxes and was unable to move. One member of the Lifeboat crew was transferred to help the two people on board to rig a tow line. The 65 ton vessel was then towed back to Sovereign Harbour for repairs.

ILB Launch Number  28

ALB Launch Number 29

Whilst on exercise both boats attended a call for assistance from a yacht caught in fishing lines off Beachy Head.

The fishing lines were cut free and the yacht was allowed to continue on its journey. Both lifeboats then continued with their exercise.

ILB Launch Number  27

A wind surfer had been reported in trouble off Langney Point. The ILB and the Coastguard searched the area from the Harbour to the pier. A Topper (small sailing dingy) was the casualty but he had recovered and was safe and well. A report with good intent.

ILB Launch Number 26

ALB Launch Number 28

A call from the Coastguard requesting both boats launch to search for a person in the sea. Clothing had been found on the beach and no swimmers could be seen. The owner of the clothes was later reported to be home safe and sound  (A call with good intent).

ILB Launch Number  25

Two persons in a small inflatable were in dificulty off the Eastbourne Pier. The ILB took them to the beach just east of the pier and then went off onto the next service call.

ILB Launch Number  24

The ILB was launched to help a swimmer in touble off Hollywell. On arrival at the scene the swimmer was found on the beach safe and well.

ILB Launch Number  23

Three persons in a small inflatable were in dificulty off the Eastbourne Pier. The ILB took them to the beach just west of the pier and handed them over to the care of the Coastguard

ILB Launch Number  22

A call from the Coastguard allerted the ILB to two person cut off by the tide at Beachy Head. The ILB picked up the casualties and landed them on the beach at Hollywell.

ILB Launch Number  21

The Coastguard called for the ILB to launch to the aid three swimmers off the end of the pier. On arrival at the scene the three persons were found to be safe and well on the beach (A call with good intent)

ILB Launch Number  20

Whilst on an exercise with All Weather Lifeboat, the ILB was diverted to assist 4 persons in difficulty underneath the Pier. The casualties were transferred to the beach west of the pier where an ambulance was waiting to transfer them to the hospital. They were suffering with hypothermia and had swallowed a large amount of sea water.

ILB Launch Number  19

Three youths in a small inflatable were in dificulty west off the Eastbourne Pier. The ILB took them to the beach just west of the pier and handed them over to the care of the Coastguard

ILB Launch Number  18

Two children in a small inflatable were heard shouting for help off the end of Eastbourne Pier. A passer by heard the shouts for help and rang the Coastguard.

The Inshore lifeboat was launched and eventualy located the youths on the beach by the Lifeboat Museum.

ALB Launch Number 27

A pan pan radio call for urgent assistance was received by the Coastguard and the All Weather lifeboat was launched to a nine metre yacht with two persons on board.The yacht had engine failure, due to the lack of wind the sailing boat was towed back to Sovereign Harbour By ALB.

LB Launch Number  17

A twenty four foot sports boat had engine failure half a mile north east of Sovereign Harbour.

The Inshore Lifeboat was launched to assist, as it was so close to the Harbour entrance the Harbour work boat had started a tow so the ILB was stood down.

ILB Launch Number  16

The ILB was launched to assist a commercial fishing boat (Albion Rose) with engine failure off Hollywell.

When the ILB arrived on the scene the person on board had just cleared his fuel filter and managed to start his engine, the ILB escorted him back to the beach adjacent to the ILB station.

ILB Launch Number  15

The Inshore lifeboat was launched to the report of a woman in distressed state on the end of the south arm of the entrance to Sovereign Harbour. The ILB was tasked to stand by whilst the Police negotiated with the woman. After an hour the woman became cold and was arrested by the police.

ALB Launch Number 26

The All Weather Lifeboat was launched to assist a 45ft Swedish sailing boat with four persons on board

en route from Holland to Eastbourne.

The yacht (Marinene) had fouled a fishing net whilst crossing the Channel. The casualty was one mile south of Sovereign Harbour.

One of the lifeboat crew was transfered to assist in rigging a tow line and also a sea drouge was set to assist in keeping a straight tow in the the choppy seas.

ALB Launch Number 25

The Coastguard received a mobile phone call from a person on a 24ft sports boat with engine failure, some where between Eastbourne and the Sovereign Light Tower.

The All Weather Lifeboat was launched and headed towards the light tower. After a search of that area they turned towards Beachy Head and searched the area west of the the pier, then in towards Hollywell and back along towards the harbour. The sports boat, with four persons on board, was then spotted one and half miles south of the pier. The Coastguard fixed wing Airplane was sent to assist in locating the casualty. A member of the lifeboat crew was transferred to assist in rigging a tow line and raising the anchor.

The sports boat, Tie Tonic, was then towed back to Sovereign Harbour where they were met by the Coastguard. They had no life jackets, VHF radio or GPS and said they did not know the area that well.

  Tie Tonic being towed by lifeboat                              Search pattern made by ALB

                  with Coastguard Airplane passing over 

ALB Launch Number 24

ILB Launch Number  14

Dover Coastguard called for both boats to launch to 4 youths trapped on the base of Beachy Head light house.

The ILB arrived first to find five school boys on the base of the lighthouse, and immediately transfered them to the All Weather lifeboat.

The youths were then checked over and transfered to the the Allchorn boats beach just west of the Eastbourne Pier where the school teacher was waiting with the coastguard.

The boys were on a day trip from a school nr Chigwell.

Picture of boys being transferd to ALB

ILB Launch Number  13

Following a report from a person on the beach near Eastbourne pier, Dover Coastguard requested the ILB launch to a possible kite surfer or parachute in the water half a mile from the end of the pier. The crew of the ILB were surprised to find a selection of balloons with a soft toy in the shape of a grey elephant floating along.

ILB Launch Number  12

The inshore lifeboat was launched to assist a kite surfer with rigging failure. The casualty was  half a mile east of the martello tower at Normans Bay, a quarter of a mile off shore and was being blown out to sea by the wind and tide. The ILB took the kite surfer on board and towed the surf-board back to the beach.

ILB Launch Number  11

The inshore lifeboat was launched to assist an 18 ft ski boat with engine failure. A tow line was rigged and the sports boat which was 21ft with two persons on board was then towed into Sovereign Harbour.

ALB Launch Number 23

The All Weather Lifeboat was launched to aid of a 28ft motor cruiser with engine failure 2 miles south of the Eastbourne pier. Mark Sawyer, the Coxswain of the ALB, transfered a member of the crew on to the cruiser to assist with the rigging of a tow line and raising of their anchor. The casualty was then towed back to Sovereign Harbour.

ALB Launch Number 22

A dive support vessel (Sea Dragon) had engine failure and requested assistance from the Eastbourne Lifeboat. A tow line was attached to the Sea Dragon which was two and a half miles south of the the harbour,

and then towed back to Sovereign Harbour.

ILB Launch Number  10

The Inshore lifeboat was launched after a report of youths in small inflatable being swept out to sea. When the ILB arrived at the scene, just to the west of the harbour entrance, the inflatable had reached the shore. The youths had paddled the infalatable using their hands out to wreck of the Barnhill under the impression that it was a small island.

ILB Launch Number  9

The Inshore lifeboat was launched to a wind surfer in trouble off Langney Point. The wind surfer was 200 metres south of the water treatment works with a broken mast. The ILB crew took the wind surfer on board and towed the surf board back to the beach by the Sovereign Centre.

ILB Launch Number  8

Dover Coastguard called for the ILB to launch to the aid of a canoeist in the area of the water treatment works. The casualty had been towed ashore by an angling boat, when the ILB arrived on scene. The ILB crew went ashore to check on the canoeist and confirmed he was okay, then returned to station.

ALB Launch Number 21

A call for the All Weather lifeboat to launch from Dover Coastguard was received at 10.05 hrs.

The ALB (Royal Thames ) launched to the aid of a 32ft Motor Cruiser (Artemis) which had fouled it's propeller in fishing lines half a mile east of Sovereign Harbour, whilst en route to Dunkirk.

Mark Robinson the Second Coxswain in command of the Royal Thames transferred two members of the crew on to the motor cruiser with grappling hooks and cutting tools to free the craft from the obstruction.

The Artemis was towed in to Sovereign Harbour by the ALB after being released from the fishing lines, and then transferred to the lift out hoist by the Harbour work boat for inspection.

ALB Launch Number20

ILB Launch Number 7

As both lifeboats were returning to Sovereign Harbour from the callout for the sailing dinghies (see below), a 3rd sailing boat was reported missing.

The small catamaran was last reported approx 3 miles from the harbour. A search of the area was made, and nothing found. After a short time the craft was reported safe and sound on the beach at Pevensey Bay.

ALB Launch Number 19

ILB Launch Number 6

Both Eastbourne Lifeboats were launched to assist three sailing dinghies which had capsized.

The boats were all taking part in the Pevensey Bay Sailing Club Regatta when a squall hit Eastbourne.

The sailing club rescue boats had the problem under control and had started recover the dinghies.

ALB Launch Number 18

A charter dive boat had radioed for assistance, reporting a diver with suspected bends, (a decompression illness).

The All Weather lifeboat was launched and met the dive boat half way back to Sovereign Harbour.

A Paramedic was transferred to the dive boat and the casualty was give oxygen and fist aid.

On arrival at Sovereign Harbour the diver was checked over and transferred to the DGH by ambulance,

where Whiskey Bravo, the Coastguard helicopter, was standing by to transfer him to a decompression unit in London.

ALB Launch Number 17

A sailing boat alerted Solent Coastguard that it had seen flares in the sky.

The Eastbourne All Weather Lifeboat was launched to assist the Newhaven lifeboat together with India Juliet,

the Coastguard helicopter, in the search for a casualty.

The directions given were 185 degrees, 20 miles from Sovereign Harbour. Ian Stringer, the 3rd Coxswain in command of the ALB, was instructed by Solent Coastguard to search the area given using a standard search pattern for this type of emergency.

After a long and careful search of the area, the coastguard called the search off and called it a a report with good intent .

ILB Launch Number 5

Coastguard requested the Inshore Lifeboat launch, to transfer a member of the cliff rescue team from the foot of the cliffs at Beachy Head.

The coastguard had collected a dog from a ledge half way down the cliff. A second dog had also gone over the cliff, its owner had made his way down to Cow Gap and had recovered the injured animal. He was spotted carrying it back towards Eastbourne .

ALB Launch Number 16

Dover Coastguard called for the The Eastbourne All Weather Lifeboat (the Royal Thames), to launch following a Mayday call from a 43ft sailing boat (The Tramp Of Arlie) which had been dismasted.

The casualty, with four persons on board, was approx 3 miles south of Beachy Head.

Three crew members were transferred to assist in the cutting away of the broken mast and rigging.

The yacht's crew were placed below during this operation for safety reasons.

After the mast was cleared the All Weather Lifeboat towed the casualty back to Sovereign Harbour.

                 Picture taken by R.Gygax

ALB Launch Number 15

The Eastbourne All Weather Lifeboat (the Royal Thames) was launched to assist a 30ft motor cruiser 

(Lady Jade) winch had a fouled anchor.

(Mark Robinson) 2nd Coxswain in command of the ALB called the Inshore lifeboat to assist in transferring crew members on to the Lady Jade.  The ILB was already at sea, on its sunday morning exercise.

The anchor had to be released from the motor cruiser, then recovered by the Royal Thames using its power winch.

The Lady Jade then, under its own power, returned to Sovereign Harbour where it's anchor was returned to them by the Eastbourne Lifeboat.

ILB Launch Number 4

The Coastguard called for the Inshore Lifeboat to assist a canoeist in difficulty a quarter of a mile south of the Grand Hotel, Eastbourne.

The beach Lifeguard's rescue dingy had the canoeist on their boat and agreed it was easier for them to transfer him to the beach. After confirming he was okay, the ILB Helmsman assisted by towing the canoe back to the beach.

ALB Launch Number 14

Pipe Dream, a 35ft Sailing boat with two person on board, had alerted Dover Coastguard that it had a fouled propeller and was unable to move. Eastbourne Lifeboat (The Royal Thames) was launched to assist.

The casualty's position was approximately four and a half miles north east of Sovereign Harbour.

When on the scene, Mark Sawyer (Lifeboat Coxswain) pulled alongside and transferred two members of the lifeboat crew to assist in the rigging of a tow line and the cutting free of the sailing boat.

A grappling iron and cutting tools were required to free Pipe Dream from the fishing lines that had fouled the propeller.

The Royal Thames then towed the sailing boat back to Sovereign Harbour and returned to station.

ILB Launch Number 3

Dover Coastgaurd called for the Inshore Lifeboat to launch to the aid of a small inflatable drifting with two young people on board approx half a mile off shore.

Dover Coastguard were allerted by a person on the beach at Pevensey Bay.

The inflatable had already made its own way back to the beach, and the two persons in it were warned by the Coastguard of the danger of going to sea in such a small inflatble on a windy day with no life jackets.

The ILB was stood down and returned to station.

ALB Launch Number 13

Dover Coastguard called for the ALB to launch to the aid of a Charter fishing boat (The Duke).

The Duke had engine failure 10 miles south of Sovereign Harbour.

They were towed back to Sovereign Harbour where the Harbour work boat took over the tow into the lock.

As the Lifeboat was approaching the harbour Mark Sawyer, the Coxswain, spotted two young people in a small children's inflatable boat; with the wind and tide as it was at this time they could have blown across the entrance to the harbour and out to sea. Mark alerted the Coastguard and they then went to the beach and warned the youngsters of the danger they were in.

ALB Launch Number 12

The ALB was launched to assist a 100 ton fishing boat that had engine failure six and a half miles south east of Beachy Head.

The All weather lifeboat passed a tow line and towed the casualty back to Sovereign Harbour.

Because of the size of the fishing boat the ALB needed to tow it with the aid of the harbour work boat through the locks and help moor it on its berth.

ALB Launch Number 11

Dover Coastguard called for the ALB to launch to the aid of a Cruise Liner ( The Calypso), 

with 700 persons on board. A Mayday call had been received stating that the vessel was on fire 20 miles south of Sovereign Harbour.

Four lifeboats were on the scene: Hastings, Eastbourne, Newhaven & Shoreham. A number of other vessels had come to the aid of the stricken vessel, one of which was spraying water on to the side of the ship to cool down the steel plates.The ships lifeboats and ladders are ready for use as seen in the above picture

The fire in the engine room was extinquished by the ships crew. India Juliet the Coastguard helicopter transferred a British fire fighting team to assist if needed.

The lifeboats stayed with The Calypso until the Coastguard Tug (Anglian Monarch) arrived and took it under tow. The passengers are all assembled in the public areas of the ship until it reaches Southampton.

The Calypso is registered in Limessol, Cyprus, and was en route to St Peter's Port, Guernsey.

ALB Launch Number 10

At the request of Dover Coastguard the Eastbourne All Weather Lifeboat was launched to a small angling boat with engine failure.

The casulty was traced using the lifeboats VHF direction finding equipment. Its position was 3 miles east of Sovereign Harbour.

A tow line was passed to the angling boat and it was then towed back to the beach at Pevensey Bay where the Coastguard helped them pull the boat out of the water.

(Picture of Lifeboat leaving beach at Pevensey Bay)

ALB Launch Number 9

ILB Launch Number 2

Dover Coastguard called for both lifeboats to launch as an upturned dingy had been reported in the outer harbour with two young boys trapped in the mud.

When on the scene Mark Sawyer, Coxswain of the All Weather Lifeboat, requested that the Inshore Lifeboat

drive up through a gully in the mud where one of the boys remained trapped up to his waist. Once the casualty had been pulled free the ALB pulled the ILB free of the mud, both Lifeboats then returned to Sovereign Harbour lock.

One of the boys had managed to get free of the mud and was met on the beach by the Coastguard, he was then taken to the lifeboat station where both boys were checked over by Ambulance men and treated for mild hypothermia.

ALB Launch Number 8

Dover Coastguard called for the All Weather Lifeboat to launch to help a 27ft motor cruiser that had engine failure 2 miles south west of Sovereign Harbour. A line was passed to the casualty and then towed back to Sovereign Harbour. The vessel was en route to Brighton marina from Sovereign Harbour with two persons on board.

ALB Launch Number 7

Dover Coastguard called for the All Weather Lifeboat to launch to the aid of a 28ft motor cruiser with two persons on board, that had engine failure a quarter of a mile east of Sovereign Harbour.

When on scene the lifeboat found that a sailing boat had taken the cruiser in tow and the ALB then escorted the casualty into the harbour.

ALB Launch Number 6

Dover Coastguard alerted the Eastbourne Lifeboat that a 16 metre Motor Cruiser had engine failure 2 miles south of Beachy Head. When on the scene a member of the Lifeboat crew was transferred to the Cruiser to assist in the rigging of a tow line, The Lady Allamina a 30 ton Trader was then towed back into the Sovereign Harbour for repairs to the two engines which had over heated.

ALB Launch Number 5

Whilst returning from the sunday morning exercise, both Eastbourne Lifeboats were alerted by the Coastguard that there was canoeist reported to be in in trouble off of Cooden beach. The Inshore Lifeboat was the first on the scene and was told by the person in the canoe that they were not in any trouble and did not need assistance. Both boats returned to Sovereign Harbour. The 999 call was a false alarm made with good intent.

ALB Launch Number 4

The Edward Robert, a 24ft fishing boat with two persons on board, had engine failure one and a half miles south west of Sovereign Harbour.

The All Weather Lifeboat was launched, passed a line and towed the casualty into the harbour.

ALB Launch Number 3

A 34ft yacht had run aground while approaching Sovereign Harbour.

The All Weather Lifeboat was launched and passed a tow, after pulling the vessel into safer water a safety check was made and the yacht towed into the harbour.

The crew who had turned up in their suits as the callout had come in ten minutes before they started the Crew Christmas Dinner.

ALB Launch Number 2

Following reports of a 40ft vessel possibly in trouble 2 miles off langney point, The All Weather lifeboat was launched to investigate, a 40ft yacht was located two and a half miles south east of beachy head, the two persons on board were suffering from fatigue as they had sailed through the gales and rough seas from Dartmouth and requested to be escorted to a safe berth for the night. Nothing untoward was found during the

search for the reported vessel in trouble.

ALB Launch Number 1

23ft day sports boat with four persons on board reported engine failure, one and a half miles south east of Sovereign Harbour. The All Weather Lifeboat was launched and towed the casuaty back to the harbour.