Two calls in gale NEWHAVEN LIFEBOAT, the 47' Watson Kathleen Mary, was called out twice on Thursday, November 4, 1976. During the early evening HM Coastguard had been watching a yacht coming from the west, close inshore. As she turned in to Newhaven Harbour she had to head off to the east to avoid an out-going coaster, was driven past the harbour entrance and, just before 1800, she was seen to be having difficulty tacking back out of Seaford Bay. A fishing vessel, Gay Star, about to enter harbour, was called on VHF channel 16 and asked to check if the yacht was in trouble; a message was also passed to Newhaven lifeboat station.

The wind was south westerly, strong to near gale, force 6 to 7, the sea rough; visibility was good. The tide was three hours flood.

Gay Star was unable to get close to the yacht, because the water was too shallow, and at 1810 reported that the yacht, Kiki, was within 20 feet of the shore. Newhaven Coastguard mobile was despatched and the CRE company called out.

Kathleen Mary launched at 1816 and reached the casualty to relieve Gay Star at 1823. However, at 1836 a message came from the mobile that the yacht was on the beach and her singlehanded skipper safe.

The lifeboat returned to her station and was rehoused and ready for service at 1915.

A few hours later, at 2300, the Coastguard informed the honorary secretary that a catamaran appeared to be in difficulties four miles north of Greenwich Buoy. Her forestay had been carried away and she was unable to hoist further sail. She had enough fuel for four hours, after which help would be needed. She had two adults and two children on board. Shipping had been informed and two vessels were heading for the casualty.

At 2320, with the weather deteriorating, the Coastguard advised the immediate launch of the lifeboat. Visibility was poor and the wind had risen to gale force 8 to 9, still blowing from the south west.

The tide was ebbing and the sea in the vicinity of the casualty was very rough.Meanwhile, at 2330 MV Kilkenny, one of the two vessels which had responded to the distress call, had closed the casualty and was standing by pending the arrival of the lifeboat.

At 2340 Kathleen Mary was launched and on her way. She arrived alongisde the casualty, the catamaran Acarus, at 0140. Acarus was taken in tow and Kilkenny went on her way.

The lifeboat, together with her tow, arrived safely in Newhaven at 0515 on November 5, but had to remain on her moorings until 0630 before there was enough water to enable her to be rehoused..