Severn Area Rescue Association - Newport Lifeboat Station

05/09/2026

Back in May we were delighted to announce that part of our commitment to the communities that we serve, we planned to invest nearly £30,000 into the refurbishment and refit of SARA 14!

The investment is intended to prolong SARA lifeboat presence in Gwent for years to come.

We have been using SARA lifeboat 3 for the last few weeks whilst our boat is off having its makeover.🧡

S3 has been good to us! We’ve responded to a few call-outs, had several training sessions and crew member Amelia seems to like it a lot 😁.

But……
It’s time we have our own boat back, right?

So here’s the news! SARA 14 will arrive back in Newport on Tuesday afternoon. There will be a few trial launches to check everything is working as it should and then it’ll be back on front line service by the weekend. (Hopefully)

So you may see us out and about very soon.

Below is a recap of the refurbishment and some project photos.

Some of the 2026 upgrades include:
- a larger touch screen navigation display.
- High definition sonar equipment.
- Sea temperature readings.
- Enhanced mapping with satellite imagery.
- A new deck mattress to improve crew comfort.
- New engine & fuel tanks.
- New trailer with additional rubber stoppers to protect the hull.
- Repair work to sacrificial parts of the hull.
- Repainting of rear A Frame.
- Electrical wiring upgrades

17/08/2026

For the past 72 hours, SARA has provided the first response to all inland water incidents for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
The Fire Service had requested our support, along with that of fire services from across England and of other volunteer organisations, as they were hugely stretched dealing with the extensive and persistent wildfires.

This has been a magnificent cross-station effort, in which boat teams from SARA stations at Newport, Beachley, Sharpness and Tewkesbury, supported by colleagues from SARA Cotswolds and Upton, have been based at Cardiff Gate Fire Station. SARA has had 1, often 2, boat teams available on site from 1700 on Thursday through until being stood down at 1900 this (Sunday) evening.

This has released firefighters to deal with the many wildfire incidents across South Wales, whilst maintaining the statutory requirement to respond to rescue calls. During this time the teams responded reports of one person in the water in Cardiff and another in Newport; both were resolved with everyone safe.

We are proud to stand up for the communities of South Wales, and we will remain on standby now that our formal tasking has concluded.
Thank you Gwent Police for providing our crews with vital communication equipment.

Severn Area Rescue Association - Beachley
Severn Area Rescue Association - Sharpness Lifeboat Station
Severn Area Rescue Association - Tewkesbury
Severn Area Rescue Association - Upton
SARA Cotswolds
National Independent Lifeboat Association

11/07/2026

We are at Blue Dimond Garden Centre (CF3 2WJ) today with SARA lifeboat 14!
Come on down, meet the crew and check out some awesome garden ware.Cardiff Garden Centre, part of The Blue Diamond Group

22/06/2026

🥵 You’ve probably heard by now that there is a red warning for extreme heat this week!

People can underestimate how dangerous cold-water shock can be, especially in rivers, lakes, quarries, and the sea.
Even when air temperatures are high, the water can stay cold enough to trigger involuntary gasping, rapid breathing, and muscle impairment.

🛟 Keep yourself safe whilst enjoying the water by following these simple steps:
enter the water gradually, avoiding jumping or diving straight in, to reduce your risk of cold-water shock.
Go to a lifeguarded beach or a supervised swimming area, and, if you, or anyone else, get into difficulty in the water, float on your back.

Here you’ll find some very useful guidance from Public Health Wales about general self care & looking out for others . 👇

https://phw.nhs.wales/knowledge-article/hot-weather/?fbclid=IwdGRjcASmO-VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeXWKQLhcM00ky-t5nOzqDNtc91aaQO8JyHRaD6EkqayTBhtegsdcBR49D7sM_aem_szPZmsB4cfSA5BKhG8LWzg

20/06/2026

We launched during Thursday evening to assist HM Coastguard with an incident on the River Usk.

This was the first tasking for SARA 14’s brand new trailer and the twentieth emergency launch this year.

We are currently seeking sponsors to help cover the trailer cost and there may be opportunities for sponsorship branding to also appear on the trailer.

This is a unique opportunity for local businesses to support their local lifeboat. Please email us to discuss further.
📧[email protected]

If anyone would like to make a general contribution towards the cost we would be very grateful.

Donations can be made following the below link. Please write the word TRAILER, in the message section. 🧡🧡🧡

https://sara.enthuse.com/cf/newport-station-search-and-rescue-general-funds

20/06/2026