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Newhaven RNLI responds to false alarm with good intent

Lifeboats News Release

On Sunday 18 May, HM Coastguard requested the launch of Newhaven RNLI’s inshore-lifeboat following a report of a red hang-glider ditching into the sea off Seaford Head.

Volunteers launched Newhaven's inshore-lifeboat D-890 Bill Hall with four crew on-board, and proceeded at best speed to the last reported location.

Once on scene, the crew undertook a shoreline search, and after a search further out at sea. Nothing was found. While speaking with local vessels in the area, asking if they had seen anything matching the description, a crew member spotted a red object approximately 100 metres away.

When approaching, the object was identified as a red balloon. The balloon was recovered and reported back to HM Coastguard, who then stood Newhaven ILB down.

Will Rowell, volunteer lifeboat crew, said: 'This shout was a false alarm with good intent, and we thank the member of the public who reported this. We always prefer to launch and find everything is safe than risk missing someone in need. If you see someone in trouble in the water, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.'

97% of the RNLI’s frontline lifesavers are volunteers, including 5,700 volunteer lifeboat crew members at stations around the UK and Ireland. Without our incredible volunteer lifesavers, the RNLI could not provide a 24/7 lifesaving service.

Notes to editors

  • Newhaven RNLI was established in 1803, and covers from Beachy Head to Brighton. It’s a modern afloat station and operates an all-weather Severn class lifeboat, and a inshore D class lifeboat.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Sam Carragher, Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
Crew member Will Rowell standing with the rescued red balloon

Newhaven RNLI

Crew member Will Rowell standing with the rescued balloon
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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Sam Carragher
Lifeboat Press Officer, Newhaven

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