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Callouts from: 2006 2008Eastbourne Lifeboats Callouts 2007
ALB Launch Number 51 At the request of Dover Coastguard the all weather lifeboat launched with a crew of eight, to a report of an injured crewman on a Belgian trawler, seventeen miles south of Sovereign Harbour. Whilst on route to the casualty, the lifeboat doctor was winched up into Whiskey Bravo, the Coastguard helicopter, and then transferred over to the trawler. After the attempts to resuscitate the injured seaman in his mid forties failed, the doctor announced him deceased. The doctor was then transferred back to the all weather lifeboat, which by then had arrived on the scene.
ALB Launch Number 50 Dover Coastguard alerted the lifeboat to a fishing boat with a rope entangled around its propeller, position 16 miles south of the Sovereign Harbour. The all weather lifeboat launched with a crew of eight to assist. When on the scene, a tow line was passed over and the long tow (three and half hours) back to Sovereign Harbour started. The casualty, a one hundred and twenty ton beam trawler from Tobermorey, was unable to move under its own power at all. When approximately three miles off Eastbourne, a Severn class lifeboat en route from Dover to Poole was passing and assisted in the tow.
The all weather lifeboat towed the fishing boat through the lock into the inner harbour, where it can be inspected by a diver to ascertain whether the rope can be cut free.
ALB Launch Number 49 The lifeboat operations manager was monitoring the VHF radio when a Belgian fishing boat requested assistance, reporting that a crew member (The Skipper) had been involved in an accident and was injured. After consulting Dover Coastguard, the crew were paged to launch the all weather lifeboat. The ALB launched with a crew of eight plus the Divisional Engineer who happened to be at the station on his regular inspection. When on the scene, approximately 1 mile off Beachy Head, Guy Emery (Paramedic) and Dr Stephen Lytton (Deputy Medical Advisor) were transferred over to the seventy-five foot beam trawler to assess the casualty's condition and injuries and administer first aid. Mark Robinson (Second Coxswain) then decided that it would be safer to leave the casualty on the trawler and escort them into Sovereign Harbour. On approach to Sovereign Harbour the casualty was transferd to the ALB in calm water, as the trawler would not have been able to enter the harbour due to the low tide and the depth of water required by the trawler. The ALB went through the lock to the inner harbour and fuel pontoon where the casualty was then handed over to the waiting ambulance crew and transfered to Eastbourne District General Hospital.
photo taken from Beachy Head
ILB Launch Number 43 ALB Launch Number 48 Both boats were tasked to launch to a reported Hot Air Balloon in the sea off the Wish Tower. When on the scene, the crew of the inshore lifeboat found an advertising balloon with nothing attached. On hearing the report from the ILB to Dover Coastguard, the all weather lifeboat was requested to stand down and returned to station. The balloon was then attached to the ILB and towed back to the ILB Station and handed over to the Coastguard. The balloon was filled with helium and tethered to the ground at Newark Golf Center, Nottingham shire, at 10.30 hrs this morning. The tether broke loose and the £1000 advertising balloon drifted the 206 miles, landing in the sea off Eastbourne during the afternoon.
picture taken from the shore of the ILB securing the advertising balloon
ILB Launch Number 42 The police helicopter spotted a supposed casualty in the water in the Belle Tout area and requested the ILB attend. After a thorough search of this area a casualty was recovered by the ILB crew.
ILB Launch Number 41 The inshore lifeboat was launched to assist in the search for a missing person, The search in the Beachy Head area requested by Dover Coastguard was made and nothing untoward found. after a wider search the Coastguard requested the ILB stand down and return to station.
ILB Launch Number 40 A member of the public alerted the coastguard to a possible person in the sea under the pier, believed to be wearing an orange life jacket. The inshore lifeboat was launched and a thorough search of the area was made. When on the scene the informant agreed that the ILB was in the position where they had thought a person was in the water. There was a lot of orange fishing nets tangled up around the pier stanchions. After reporting this, Dover Coastguard requested the ILB return to station. A false alarm with good intent.
ALB Launch Number 47 Alan Wood, the new DLA, received a request from Dover Coastguard to launch the all weather lifeboat to assist a twenty four foot Aquastar motor boat approximately 7 miles south east of Beachy Head. The casualty, with two persons on board, had engine failure and was unable to move under it's own power. The Trinity House support vessel was in the area and stood by the casualty until the ALB arrived on the scene. Once on scene, a tow line was passed over and the Aquastar was towed back to Sovereign Harbour.
ILB Launch Number 39 The inshore lifeboat was requested to launch by Dover Coastguard to assist an eighteen foot angling boat that was unable to raise it's anchor. The casualty, with one person and two children on board, was approximately three cables from the shore at Hollywell. Two crew members, Richard Larmour and Trevor Moule, transfered over and released the anchor rope from the boat with a marker buoy attached. (This will be recovered by the all weather lifeboat on Sunday morning as part of its weekly exercise). The angling boat then returned to Sovereign Harbour under it's own power. The ILB then returned to station.
ILB Launch Number 38 A person walking along the cliff edge at Beachy Head heard a call for help from a man trapped by the tide on the rocks just west of the lighthouse. The man in his fifties had gone for a stroll along the rocks when he found himself cut off by the rising tide. His mobile phone was not receiving any signal down under the cliffs, so he was unable to raise the alarm himself. He tried to light a signal fire by striking flints stones together, after this failed he attempted to construct a small raft from barrels and pieces of wood he found amongst the rocks.This also failed and he attempted to swim but the tide was too strong. Attempts to signal passing boats by tying his shirt to a piece of wood and using it as a signal also failed. The inshore lifeboat was tasked to assist and found the casualty safe and sound on the rocks He was very tired and weary after his attempts to rescue himself. The ILB transported the man back to the ILB station and gave him a welcome cup of tea.
ILB Launch Number 37 The inshore lifeboat was tasked to assist Eastbourne Coastguard in locating a missing person approximatly 400 yds East of the Beachy Head Lighthouse. Once on scene a search was made from the Falling sands towards the West, locating the casualty at the base of the cliffs 100 yds East of the Lighthouse. Tthe body was recovered and returned to the ILB station.
ALB Launch Number 46 Whilst returning from their sunday morning exercise the All Weather lifeboat was alerted to a thirty six foot sailing boat with engine failure near to the harbour entrance. A tow line was passed over and the casualty with two persons on board was then towed in to Sovereign Harbour.
ALB Launch Number 45 ILB Launch Number 36 A memeber of the Eastbourne Pier security allerted Dover Coastguard to a person having jumped or fallen into the sea. Both boats were launched to search for a person in the water. After a thorough search from hollywell to the Redoubt, the Coastguard stood both boats down. It was decided that it was a false alarm with good intent.
ILB Launch Number 35 Following a report from a person on Eastbourne Pier, Dover Coastguard requested the inshore lifeboat launch to recover a body a few metres off the shore. The ILB recovered the body just off the redoubt,
ALB Launch Number 44 Whilst on its sunday morning exercise the ALB was requested to assist a twenty six foot sailing boat with engine failure. The casualty was approximate four miles south of Beachy Head lighthouse. Due to the lack of wind the sailing boat requested assistance from the lifeboat. Once on scene a tow line was passed and the casualty towed into Sovereign Harbour. The ALB was then refueled and returned to station.
ILB Launch Number 34 ALB Launch Number 43 Dover Coastguard requested the ILB launch, but then requested both boats to launch, to assist in locating the wreck of a car that had been driven over Beachy Head. When on scene the ILB located the wreck and searched for any persons on board. The registration of the vehicle was noted and the Coastguard advised. Both lifeboats stood by to assist the Coastguard if required in the recovery of the driver. A member of theCoastguard was lowered down to the casualty (halfway down the cliff) and then both were winched back to the top of the cliffs.
Coastguard about to go down cliff face with stretcher Wreck of car photo taken by Andy Chatton ILB Helmsman
ILB Launch Number 33 Two people reported a surf board floating a quarter of a mile off the beach by the Moorings at Pevensey Bay, Dover Coastguard requested the inshore lifeboat launch to search for a person the water. A passer by in a dingy towed the surf board back to the beach whilst the ILB started a parallel search of the area. Echo November the Coastguard fixed wing airplane was also involved in the search. After a thorough search of the area it was decided that it was a false alarm with good intent, the ILB was requested to return to station. (ILB returning to station with surf board)
photo taken by John Banfield.
ALB Launch Number 42 A call from Dover Coastguard alerted Mark Robinson, the Second Coxswain of the all weather lifeboat, that a 100 ton fishing vessel six miles south east of Sovereign Harbour had lost its rudder. The casualty, with a crew of five and a dog, was then towed back to a position just outside Sovereign Harbour to await the rising tide, so they could enter the harbour. Later that evening the lifeboat launched again to tow them into the harbour.
ILB Launch Number 32 The ILB was launched to a windsurfer in the water half a mile west of the pier. When on the scene the Helmsman found the casualty was assisted by the Lifeguards.
ILB Launch Number 31 The inshore lifeboat was tasked to assist a sailing boat that had become entangled in a yacht racing marker buoy just west of Sovereign Harbour. It took some time freeing the yacht from the mooring ropes of the buoy
The ALB was just returning from the callout to assist Newhaven lifeboat with the boat on fire when the Deputy Second Coxswain (Ian Stringer) spotted the ILB freeing the yacht and stopped to assist.
Whilst the ILB was freeing the yacht a request to an immediate launch from Dover Coastguard was received to a rubber dingy in trouble at Pevensey Bay. They were stood down whilst en route to the supposed casualty.
ALB Launch Number 41 The all weather lifeboat was launched to assist the Newhaven lifeboat with a boat on fire at Cuckmere Haven. When passing Cow Gap the ALB was stood down as Newhaven ALB had rescued the casualty.
ALB Launch Number 40 All weather lifeboat was launched to assist in recovering a person injured in a sailing accident.
ILB Launch Number 30 Dover Coastguard were alerted by a person walking along the cliffs at Cow Gap (Beachy Head) that there was a swimmer in trouble just off shore. The inshore lifeboat was launched and searched the area. After a thorough search of the area it was decided that the person walking along the cliffs had mistaken a fisherman's marker buoy with seaweed on it for a swimmer.
ILB Launch Number 29 The inshore lifeboat responded to an urgent call, to a man overboard just outside the entrance to Sovereign Harbour, The yacht the casualty had gone overboard from was just returning from the Eastbourne RNLI regatta yacht race. The person overboard was returned to the yacht, and the ILB stood down.
ALB Launch Number 39 Whilst covering the Eastbourne Airborne show the all weather lifeboat was tasked to assist a thirty foot motor cruiser.
ALB Launch Number 38 The All Weather lifeboat was tasked to assist a ten metre yacht on passage from Bolougne with two persons on board three and a half miles east of Sovereign Harbour. The casualty had engine failure, and due to the wind and tide, it was considered safer to request assistance from the lifeboat. When on the scene a tow line was passed and the yacht was towed into Sovereign Harbour.
ILB Launch Number 28 Dover Coastguard requested the Inshore Lifeboat launch to assist with the recovery of a body from the rocks near to Whitbread Hollow (Beachy Head). When on the scene the ILB with four crew assisted the coastguard and Eastbourne Police. The body along with one member of the Police was then transferred back to the Inshore Lifeboat Station.
ILB Launch Number 27 The ILB launched at the request of Dover Coastguard to the report of an upturned rubber dingy with three persons in the water. When on the scene, three beaches west of the pier, the three persons were just making their way out of the water. The ILB stood by until the Coastguard arrived, then they were stood down and returned to station.
ALB Launch Number 37 The All Weather lifeboat with Mark Robinson as Coxswain and seven crew was launched at Dover Coastguard's request, to assist a ten metre motor cruiser with electrical failure approximately seven miles south of Sovereign Harbour. When on scene two miles south of the Royal Sovereign light tower, a tow line was passed and the casualty was towed back to Sovereign Harbour.
ALB Launch Number 36 Dover Coastguard received four telephone calls reporting sightings of red flares just east of the Sovereign light tower. The All Weather lifeboat was launched with a crew of eight, whilst en route to the reported area a pair of fisherman's oilskins were found floating three miles south of Sovereign Harbour, after reporting this to Dover Coastguard the ALB started a thorough search of the area using their search light and parachute flares. By this time Hastings ALB had launched to assist in the search as well as Whiskey Bravo, the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Lee On So lent. The Eastbourne ALB began an expanding box search of the area, whilst the Hastings ALB also began an expanding box search of the area from Sovereign light tower towards St Leonard's. Whisky Bravo covered a large area at the same time. After three hours of searching the lifeboats were told to stand down and return to station. Bexhill Coastguard were dispatched to the first informant to try and obtain more positive coordinates, it was first believed that the red lights were reflection from the Royal Sovereign buoy, but the first informant new the area well and said no it was further east of the buoy. At the same time Eastbourne Coastguard observed the area and the search by the lifeboats and helicopter from Beachy Head. It is believed that there may have been meteor activity in the area and this is what may have been mistaken for red flares. (A false alarm with good intent).
ILB Launch Number 26 Following a call from a passing angling boat,Sovereign Harbour alerted the Dover Coastguard to an upturned boat just west of the water treatment works. The inshore lifeboat was launched to what turned out to be a pedlo that had sunk and drifted down to Langney Point. It was assumed that youngsters had pushed it into the sea for a prank. When on the scene the Coastguard requested that the ILB crew helped in dragging the craft up above the high water mark for safety. A callout that was rather different, but still the RNLI jumped into action.
ALB Launch Number 35 ILB Launch Number 25 The All Weather lifeboat was launched to a person reported clinging to the east side of the pier. The Inshore lifeboat was also on standby and as the ALB passed the ILB station they were told to launch and assist with the rescue. When on the scene Mark Sawyer, the Coxswain of the ALB called for the ILB to run up onto the beach so the crew members could enter the very rough sea in their dry suits. While this was going on the Coastguard managed to get a ladder from the pier and Stuart Mc Nab of the Coastguard with Peter Needham ILB crew member waded into the surf and held the ladder up so that Andy Chatton ILB crew member could climb up and rescue the man who was still clinging on to a support stanchion of the pier. They then carried the casualty who was by this time suffering from hypothermia back to the shore and handed him over to a waiting Paramedic. The ILB then had to be be pulled off the beach using a rope from the All Weather Lifeboat which was standing by just off the shore. Both boats then returned to station.
ILB Launch Number 24 Following a telephone call from the Ambulance services, Dover Coastguard requested the ILB to launch to a woman that had reported was seen going into the sea fully clothed near the Cavendish hotel. The ILB with a crew of four was soon on the scene and spotted a person laying on the beach. Two crew members were transferred to the beach where they found the woman unconscious. The lifeboat helmsman reported to the Coastguard by radio and requested a Paramedic. The lifeboat crew members gave the casualty oxygen and put her into the recovery position, When the ambulance crew arrived the woman started to come round and she was then transferred to the hospital.
ILB Launch Number 23 A swimmer in trouble was reported nr to Hollywell, The ILB with two crew members (Andy Chatton on helm and Alan Simmister on crew) launched to search the area, a search pattern was started 3 beaches west of the Wish Tower going west towards Whitbread Hollow. After 4 sweeps of the area each sweep going further out to sea nothing was found and the Coastguard requested the ILB stand down and return to station. A report with good intent.
ALB Launch Number 34
ILB Launch Number 22 During a mud rescue exercise with the Coastguard in the outer harbour, the inshore lifeboat was tasked to assist a twenty three foot sports boat that had its propeller entangled in a lobster pot line, in the entrance to Sovereign Harbour. The line had to be cut free from the pot using a line cutter from the all weather boat, this required one member of the ilb crew to enter the water to gain access to the propeller Once the line was cut the ilb towed the casualty into the Sovereign Harbour lock.
ILB Launch Number 21 ALB Launch Number 33 The ILB launched to a report of a person in difficulties in the sea a little way off the Grand Hotel. The report had come via third party through the local Lifeguards. After searching for approximately 30 minutes it was decided to add the ALB to the search. Both boats combed the search area without finding anyone and after about an hour the search was called off. It is possible that some fishing markers were mistaken for a person swimming, so maybe a false alarm with good intent. Search area Wish Tower to Sugar Loaf.
ALB Launch Number 32 Dover Coastguard requested the All Weather Lifeboat launch to assist a twenty four foot yacht with mechanical problems off Cooden. The casualty was on route from Dover to Eastbourne. When on scene a lifeboat crew member (Ian Patterson) was transferred over to assist the two persons on board with the rigging of a tow line, the casualty was then towed to Sovereign Harbour and handed over to the harbour work boat to be towed into the lock.
ALB Launch Number 31 The All Weather Lifeboat launched to a fifty two foot Ketch with four persons on board. The casualty was on passage from Ramsgate to Brighton when it developed fuel problems three miles east of Sovereign Harbour.When on scene one lifeboat crew member was transfered to assist in rigging a tow line. The ketch was then towed back to Sovereign Harbour for repairs.
ALB Launch Number 30 A forty two foot yacht with a fouled propellor called for assistance from the lifeboat, the yacht with four persons on board was half a mile east of the harbour, due to the weather conditions and sea state the All Weather lifeboat passed a tow line over and towed the casualty into Sovereign Harbour.
ALB Launch Number 29 A call for the ALB to launch to assist a 36 foot sailing boat three quarters of a mile off the ILB station in Eastbourne Bay, the casualty with 2 persons on board were on passage from Chichester to Dover when they suffered engine failure. When on scene a lifeboat crew member was transfered over to assist with rigging a tow line, the casualty was then towed into Sovereign Harbour.
ALB Launch Number 28 The All Weather Lifeboat was tasked to assist a 36 foot sailing boat 3 miles south of Sovereign Harbour. The casualty with six persons .on board had a fouled propeller and rudder, a tow line was passed over and they were towed back to Sovereign Harbour for repairs.
ALB Launch Number 27 The All weather lifeboat was launched to assist a thirty foot yacht with rigging failure, the casualty with one exhausted person on board managed to steer the boat into Sovereign Harbour, escorted by the ALB.
ILB Launch Number 20 ILB was requested to launch to assist with the recovery of a Human body over the cliffs at Beachy Head. Coastguards had located the body and conned the ILB to the position, once onscene the body was recovered to the ILB and taken back to the ILB station where the coroner was waiting.
ILB Launch Number 19 (standby) Person in water by Eastbourne pier.
ALB Launch Number 26 The All Weather Lifeboat was launched to assist a thirty-one foot Sunseeker motor cruiser with one person on board, seven miles south west of Sovereign Harbour. The casualty, which was on passage from St Peter Port Guernsey to Sovereign Harbour, had developed engine failure. Being close to Beachy Head, the skipper decided it was safer to call for assistance. Once on the scene, Coxswain Mark Sawyer decided to transfer one crew member over to assist in rigging a tow line. The casualty was then towed back to Sovereign Harbour.
ILB Launch Number 18 ALB Launch Number 25 The Newhaven Allweather Lifeboat was returning from its Sunday morning exercise when it was called by Solent Coastguard to assist with a medic evacuation. A sixty five year old woman had broken her leg whilst walking along the beach. The Newhaven Allweather Lifeboat then developed severe engine problems. The Newhaven Y boat was then launched to the casualty on the beach. Dover Coastguard called for both Eastbourne Lifeboats to launch to assist the Newhaven Lifeboats. The Eastbourne ILB assisted the crew of the Newhaven Y boat and Birling Gap Rescue boat with the casualty. The casualty was airlifted from the beach to a waiting ambulance at Birling Gap by the Coastguard rescue helicoptor from Lee On Solent.
The Eastbourne Allweather Lifeboat stood by the Newhaven Lifeboat whilst they made temporary repairs to enable them to return to Newhaven.
ALB Launch Number 24 (Standby) A twenty one foot speedboat had reported engine failure. Managed to restart engine, Lifeboat stood down.
ILB Launch Number 17 A sixteen foot angling boat with engine failure, a quarter of a mile east of Beachy Head, requested assistance from the Coastguard. The ILB was launched and the casualty with two persons on board was towed back to Sovereign Harbour.
ILB Launch Number 16 ALB Launch Number 23 The ILB was launched at the Coastguard's request to assist them in the search for a yellow and orange inflatable dingy with four persons on board seen leaving the shore near to the Grand Hotel in thick fog. The ILB made a thorough search of the shoreline from the Grand hotel to Beachy Head. The ALB joined in the search and the search area was widened, the search was later called off by the local coastguard when the missing persons were located on the beach in the Hollywell area.
ALB Launch Number 22
A forty-seven foot Ketch sailing from St Catherine's Dock London to Brighton had engine failure and requested assistance six miles east off Sovereign Harbour. Dover Coastguard called for the All Weather Lifeboat to launch. The ketch had a fuel pipe fault and all it's fuel had leaked into the bilge. When on scene to the becalmed yacht, Mark Sawyer, the Coxswain of the ALB, instructed the crew to foot a tow line and the casualty was towed back to Sovereign Harbour. As the ALB approached the harbour a call from the Dover Coastguard requested the ALB assist the ILB and the local Coastguard search for a missing inflatable dingy. The Sovereign Harbour work boat took over tow in the entrance to the harbour, with the lifeboat boarding boat standing by to assist.
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