Double call-out SHOREHAM COASTGUARD informed the honorary secretary of Newhaven lifeboat at 1634 on Sunday January 22,1984, that a trawler, Suzanna D had broadcast a MAYDAY. She was swamped and sinking two miles south west of Beachy Head and, at 1645, the 44ft Waveney relief lifeboat, Faithful Forester, on temporary duty at Newhaven, launched with Coxswain/Mechanic Leonard Patten in command and with a portable salvage pump on board. There was a west-north-westerly strong breeze blowing, force 6, gusting up to storm force 10 in squalls. The sea was rough and as the lifeboat neared the trawler the heavy swell was reaching ten feet in height.

Before the lifeboat arrived the trawler had succeeded in clearing most of the water using her own pumps. However, an electrical fire had now broken out in her engine room and when the lifeboat met her at 1710, two miles south east of Seaford Head, she was still making way to the west.

Once the trawler's crew had managed to put the fire out, Coxswain Patten began to escort her towards Newhaven.

At one point the two boats were hit by a severe squall with winds of 45 to 50 knots, but with no further incident harbour was safely reached and at 1810 the lifeboat was back at her mooring.

Eastbourne's 37ft 6in Rother lifeboat, Duke of Kent, also launched at 1708 but returned to station when informed that the situation was under control and her help was not needed.

Less than two and a half hours later, at 2035, Newhaven lifeboat once more launched on service after Newhaven Coastguard had reported that a Belgian trawler, Speranza, was aground on theeast side of the harbour entrance. There was still a fresh to strong west-northwesterly breeze, force 5 to 6, and a moderate sea with a six to eight foot swell when the lifeboat reached the trawler, in darkness, at 2042. It was dead low water and the trawler was being driven slowly ashore. The lifeboat closed her and, by using a heaving line, passed a tow line aboard. Once it was secure Coxswain Patten took the strain enough to prevent the trawler knocking further ashore. After about an hour the flood tide had given sufficient water to allow the lifeboat, with the help of the trawler's own power, to tow her off into the deep water channel. Speranza was then escorted to a safe berth in Newhaven harbour. At 2215 the lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service..