Dramatic Film Released Of Newhaven RNLI Rescue From Tall Ship

The rescue of a medical casualty, using a helicopter winch and enabled by Newhaven's lifeboat volunteers, has been released, showing the risks RNLI crews face in the open waters off Sussex every day and night.

The crew for the lifeboat, named 'David and Elizabeth Acland,' received a Mayday call at 4.57am on Tuesday, April 18th, from tall ship 'Pelican of London', which was reporting a medical emergency.

The HM Coastguard called on the Severn class boat to attend to a casualty on the ship - a twenty-nine-year-old crew member, who was receiving medical attention for a compromised airway from a medic on board.

The Lifeboat launched, headed south west of Newhaven Harbour. A rescue helicopter was also scrambled from Lee-on-the-Solent.

HM Coastguard requested the ship to steer a new course, heading towards Newhaven, shortening the journey for the lifeboat.

The tall ship Pelican of London had set sail from Folkestone on Monday May 17th, beginning a 13-week voyage to circumnavigate the UK with Darwin200 2021.

Adrian Ragbourne, Seas Your Future CEO, said:

"The Pelican was heading to Poole avoiding the worst of the storms as she set off with some new trainee crew who had joined in Folkestone.

"One of the new crew was taken ill in the early hours, and his condition deteriorated such that at just before 5am it was assessed that his life was in danger and the decision was made to medivac immediately."

The Lifeboat arrived on scene in relatively good weather conditions, while the rescue helicopter was in the process of preparing to send down the winchman.

The lifeboat prepared to transfer two of its crew onto the Pelican of London to assist the winchman in casualty care, first attempting an approach towards the starboard quarter of the vessel.

Lewis Arnold, RNLI Newhaven Coxswain, said: 

"It became evident the vessel’s outriggers on the side of the hull would cause considerable damage to the lifeboat.

"We adjusted our approach angle ahead towards the beam of the vessel, allowing little more than a metre of clearance to the stern of the lifeboat from the outrigger."

Two crew from the lifeboat were successfully transferred across to assist with casualty care. The lifeboat stood off, awaiting a situation report. The decision was made to winch the casualty off by helicopter.

With the assistance of two lifeboat crew on the ship, the casualty and winchman were transferred back up to the rescue helicopter, which departed the scene 6.25am, taking the casualty directly to Brighton General Hospital (BGH).

Once helicopter operations were complete, the lifeboat crew transferred back onto the lifeboat, which left the scene at 6.35am, returning to Newhaven, with pagers back on service at 7.43am.

The Pelican of London resumed passage to Poole, where they harboured, as planned, in the evening of Tuesday May 18th.

Before setting sail again on Wednesday 19 May, HM Coastguard took the opportunity to schedule helicopter exercise training with the Pelican of London.

Adrian Ragbourne, Seas Your Future CEO, has confirmed that the casualty is alive and well. He said:

"This was a textbook rescue by the Newhaven Lifeboat crew and the rescue helicopter team.

"Everyone’s training kicked in and the prompt and professional action by all concerned saved a life today – after treatment at BGH the crew member was discharged and returned home to recover."

Adrian Ragbourne continued: 

"We have a professional crew trained to a high standard and had on board a very experienced expedition medic to provide medical support and direction.

"We can now continue on our voyage, providing opportunities to around 60 young people to experience the fun and challenges of sailing a tall ship, make new friends, experience great teamwork, and take part in some very important scientific analysis of the waters around our beautiful British coastline."

Lewis Arnold, RNLI Newhaven Coxswain, said:

"Speed and precision is of the essence when we’re responding to a tasking of this nature.

"We are very pleased to have assisted in a positive outcome for this sailor.

"This inspiring charity are providing life-changing opportunities for young people. We wish them a safe onward passage."