Newhaven RNLI

Newhaven RNLI Volunteers of Newhaven RNLI operate two class of lifeboat: all-weather Severn class 17-21 'David and Elizabeth Acland' and inshore D class D-890 'Bill Hall'.

In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Newhaven RNLI, established 1803. RNLI Newhaven is a modern afloat station and operates a Severn class All-weather Lifeboat (ALB), the ‘David and Elizabeth Acland’. Our field of operations encompasses high speed cross-channel ferries, merchant ships, fishing vessels, charter fishing boats, yachts and power boats, not to mention the sailing dingh

ies, wind surfers, kite surfers, stand-up paddle boards, swimmers and jet skis that launch from the beaches and marinas. These all contribute to provide a wide variety of service calls for our volunteer crew. If you get in to trouble in the water, or see anyone else in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. You can give directly to Newhaven RNLI via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rnli-newhaven-lifeboat-station-2023

Our page is an open and welcoming community of RNLI supporters and volunteers all coming together to help save lives at sea and we want to hear from you about your experiences. As a charity funded by your generosity, we welcome your feedback and are always happy to discuss any aspects of our lifesaving work. However, to ensure our page remains a safe and welcoming space for everyone, we reserve the right to remove comments eg those that are offensive or abusive towards others. People who post such comments may be banned from the page. Thank you for your support.

03/06/2026

Earlier this spring, Newhaven RNLI’s volunteer crew were out in beautiful conditions for a training meetup between our all-weather lifeboat ‘David and Elizabeth Acland’ and HM Coastguard helicopter. 🚁☀️

Andy Bull (Trainee Coxswain) ran the exercise under the supervision of Lee Blacknell (Coxswain). Volunteer crew on deck were Ash Kristiansen (Trainee Mechanic), Chris Moore (Trainee Mechanic) and Kath Nash (now our newest Helm). The deck crew were overseen by Chris Glasspool (Lifeboat Training Assessor) and the POV video shots are courtesy of veteran crew member, Nick Gentry.

After rendezvous with the helicopter, HM Coastguard Winch Paramedic, Steve Bell, was lowered to the aft deck of the lifeboat, and ran through some exercises with the crew, rehearsing how to lift and lower winch paramedics and stretchers for casualties, using the hi-line procedure.

What’s the hi-line procedure? The hi-line has a weighted bag(s) at the end and is used to prevent excess swinging and/or spinning of the winch paramedic/stretcher at the end of the winch wire. After the deck crew had all taken turns operating the hi-line, Steve gave some valuable feedback before being lifted back up into the helicopter.

A very happy crew returned to the lifeboat station after a very exhilarating experience, having practised valuable lifesaving skills with our air rescue partners. 🛟🙌🌊

⚠ High risk of tidal cut off between Thursday 28 May through to Wednesday 3 June ⚠❗Check tide times before you set out a...
27/05/2026

⚠ High risk of tidal cut off between Thursday 28 May through to Wednesday 3 June ⚠

❗Check tide times before you set out along the coast 👍

Cut off risk 28/05/26-30/05/26 (Thursday-Saturday)
Greater cut off risk 31/05/26-03/06/26 (Saturday-Wednesday)

If you're planning to walk, paddle, paraglide or get out on the water along our coastline, be aware that high tides will increase the shoreline risk of getting cut off by the rising tide. This danger will continue from now until Wednesday 3 June, with the greatest cut-off risk between Sunday 31 May and Wednesday 6 June.

- Always check forecast and tides before you set out ✅
- Let someone know your plans ✅
- Carry a means of communication ✅

If you see someone in trouble, call for help: dial 999. Ask for the Coastguard. Do not enter the water yourself.

📺 Watch featured volunteers Katherine Nash and Dan Wittenberg along with their fellow Newhaven RNLI crew ON SERVICE to fishermen cut off by the tide in BBC2's 'Saving Lives at Sea' available on BBC iPlayer (series 10, episode 2).

📸Photo credit Olly Rose, .films

Newhaven RNLI's volunteer crew were out on Monday, filming with on the hottest May day on record 🫠🌡☀The weather might b...
27/05/2026

Newhaven RNLI's volunteer crew were out on Monday, filming with on the hottest May day on record 🫠🌡☀

The weather might be hot, but the water's cold. 🌊 Our ALB Coxswain, John Simcock, shared lifesaving advice should you get into difficulty in the water:

'That cold water shock - at the moment lakes, rivers, the sea, the water's very cold - it can take your breath away. If you find yourself in that situation, lie on your back, tilt your head back, arms and legs out to the side to allow you to float. That allows your body to calm down, gives you the opportunity to shout for help or to swim to shore.'

22/05/2026

We're expecting some lovely weather for the bank holiday and lots of people will be out enjoying the coast. 🏖️☀️

Newhaven RNLI volunteer crew member, Marty McCrossan, is here with a reminder of our lifesaving tips in case you get into difficulty in the water - Float To Live:

- Tilt your head back with ears submerged
- Relax and try to control your breathing
- Use your hands to help you stay afloat
- It’s okay if your legs sink, we all float differently
- Practice these steps at a supervised location, like a swimming pool or lifeguarded beach so you know what to do in an emergency.

And finally…share this video! It could save you or someone you love. 🌊💙

📹 Credit: Marty McCrossan / Darcey Hope

Massive congratulations to volunteer crew member, Katherine Nash, who passed her final assessment on Tuesday 12 May to b...
21/05/2026

Massive congratulations to volunteer crew member, Katherine Nash, who passed her final assessment on Tuesday 12 May to become Newhaven RNLI's newest helm! 💫🙌🎉

Katherine applied to join Newhaven RNLI in 2022, with no prior boating experience. She officially became crew in May 2023 and since then has worked tirelessly to develop her skills, qualifying as a casualty carer in 2024 and a navigator in early 2025. Now, she has reached the highest role of inshore lifeboat command as helm for our D class inshore lifeboat D-890 Bill Hall. 🌊

The helm takes command of search and rescue at sea and the last steps on the pathway to becoming a helm, which includes a final assessment with professional RNLI examiners, are designed to be rigorous and challenging, while testing the participant’s leadership qualities under pressure. Katherine, pictured here with Sophie Braund, RNLI Coastal Lifeboat Trainer, passed with flying colours! 🥇

As Newhaven RNLI's fifth helm, Katherine is quick to point out her success can’t be separated from the strong and supportive crew around her: ‘This is a team achievement. I could not have done it without the rest of the crew, from helms and coxswains to trainees – they all went above and beyond to assist me with my training and put in countless extra hours to help. As did our flanking crews at Eastbourne and Shoreham. It is an honour to be part of the history of the D Class inshore lifeboat as it goes from strength to strength.’

Nick Gentry, training coordinator and the station’s longest serving crew member, had this to say: ‘Katherine should be really proud of this outstanding achievement. Everyone at the station could see the considerable time, effort and dedication she invested in achieving the required high standards, and typical of Katherine, when receiving messages of congratulations, she was quick to thank every helm and crewmate who supported her along the way.’

The team at Newhaven RNLI are delighted with Katherine's success and wish her all the best for her future service! 💙💛❤️

📷Photo credit Newhaven RNLI / Nick Gentry

Celebrating our volunteer crew member, Nick Gentry, who was Channel 5 News' 'Hero of the week' last Friday! 💫🏆🙌As our lo...
18/05/2026

Celebrating our volunteer crew member, Nick Gentry, who was Channel 5 News' 'Hero of the week' last Friday! 💫🏆🙌

As our longest serving crew member, in 2023 Nick received the RNLI's 40 years long service award! He's been a member of Newhaven crew since 1982, racking up thousands of hours at sea in the roles of Crew, Navigator, Mechanic, Trainer and Assessor. As Lifeboat Training Coordinator Nick uses his huge breadth of knowledge to support crew in their initial and ongoing training. 🌊

The team from Channel 5 visited Newhaven lifeboat station a couple of weeks ago to interview Nick, who said about his volunteering service: 'I just love the whole aspect of the camaraderie of it and you know that you're doing some good as well. To me, it's the best of Britain really, the whole thing of the RNLI.'

Nick's long-term colleague, Lifeboat Launch Authority and Boathouse Manager, Roger Cohen, said 'Nick's always been there when the lifeboat needs him.' All at Newhaven RNLI hope to see him around for many more years to come! 💙



📹Credit: Channel 5 News
📷Credit: Newhaven RNLI

Yesterday morning, our all-weather lifeboat launched to assist with an incident in Brighton, joining other rescue agenci...
14/05/2026

Yesterday morning, our all-weather lifeboat launched to assist with an incident in Brighton, joining other rescue agencies and colleagues from Brighton and Shoreham RNLI.

Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected by this tragic loss.

📷Newhaven RNLI / John Simcock

⚠ High risk of tidal cut off between Wednesday 13 May through to Wednesday 20 May ⚠❗Check tide times before you set out ...
12/05/2026

⚠ High risk of tidal cut off between Wednesday 13 May through to Wednesday 20 May ⚠

❗Check tide times before you set out along the coast 👍

If you're planning to walk, paddle, paraglide or get out on the water along our coastline, be aware that high tides will increase the shoreline risk of getting cut off by the rising tide. This danger will continue from now until Wednesday 20 May, with the greatest cut-off risk between Sunday 18 May and Sunday 20 May.

- Always check forecast and tides before you set out ✅
- Let someone know your plans ✅
- Carry a means of communication ✅

If you see someone in trouble, call for help: dial 999. Ask for the Coastguard. Do not enter the water yourself.

📺 Watch featured volunteers Katherine Nash and Dan Wittenberg along with their fellow Newhaven RNLI crew ON SERVICE to fishermen cut off by the tide in BBC2's 'Saving Lives at Sea' available on BBC iPlayer (series 10, episode 2).

📸Photo credit Olly Rose, .films

11/05/2026

Need some Monday motivation? Join us at Newhaven RNLI where we're looking to fill two brilliant volunteer roles: Lifeboat Visits Officer and Water Safety Adviser. You'll receive all the training and support you need, plus the guaranteed job satisfaction of contributing to our mission to save lives at sea. You'll also join a diverse and friendly volunteer team which includes the stars of our video, Lifeboat Crew Members Steve and Chris, and Press Officer Sam. 💫

👉 For more info and to apply, DM us with any questions or see links in comments 🌊

A nice shot from last Wednesday evening's training, showing our volunteer all-weather lifeboat crew carrying out an anch...
09/05/2026

A nice shot from last Wednesday evening's training, showing our volunteer all-weather lifeboat crew carrying out an anchoring exercise in Seaford Bay, using the Fisherman’s Anchor which looks very much like the Anchor Emoji! ---> ⚓️

We carry two anchors onboard the ALB. The other (Delta Anchor) works well in sand and shingle, while the Fisherman's Anchor is great for rocky areas. 🌊

📷Credit John Simcock / Newhaven RNLI

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Lifeboat Station, West Quay
Newhaven
BN99BX

Telephone

01273 514143

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