Three walkers three lifeboatsThe difficulties of working close inshore in surf were vividly illustrated when Newhaven's Arun class lifeboat, her ' Y' boat and the Eastbourne D class were all involved in a service to save three people cut off by the tide.

The service began when Newhaven's Arun Keith Anderson launched at 1530 on 12 February 1989, called to walkers who had been stranded at Belle Tout, some seven miles east of the station.

Arriving at the scene some 20 minutes later the lifeboat found a 6ft to 7ft sea breaking on the beach. She could not approach it, so the 'Y' boat was launched to bring the casualties aboard.

Two of the walkers were safely transferred to the Arun, but on her next run ashore the small ' Y' boat capsized just yards from the shore, swamping its engine and throwing the two crew members in the water. They landed safely but were unable to restart the engine to bring the remaining casualty to safety.

However Eastbourne's D class inflatable was on engine trials nearby, and after the Arun coxswain, Mike Beach, requested their assistance the D class approached the shore.

Helmsman Ian Stringer took the inflatable close inshore and anchored to veer in to the casualties - three attempts having to be made to make the anchor hold. Veering in to the beach successfully the D class took the remaining survivor on board, and although the 'Y' boat crew thought the engine would now start they too were pulled back out to the inflatable lifeboat's anchor for safety's sake.

The 'Y' boat and the remaining survivor were taken to the Arun, but the D class was then asked to search the shoreline - four Heavy surf pounds Newhaven's 'Y' boat as she makes the first trip out to the Arun.

(Photo Terry Connolly, Seaiord Gazette) people having been reported missing and only three being recovered from the beach.

The fourth person was found to have waded to safety, and the D's final duty before returning home was to ferry a set of car keys ashore!.