Newhaven's Arun class lifeboat Keith Anderson closes in on the MFV Ocean Spirit after the vessel ran aground while entering Newhaven Harbour on 31 March 1994.

Coxswain/mechanic Michael Beach had been about to leave the lifeboat when he saw the MFV run aground to the east of the entrance channel in an onshore gale and a very heavy ground swell.

The lifeboat was soon on the scene and attempted to tow the MFV off, but found that she was being pulled into the shallows.

While the Arun was returning after picking upalongerlinethe casualty managed to refloat herself on the rising tide and was escorted to the safety of the harbour.

The size of the seas kicked up by the onshore gale can readily be appreciated from this photograph, taken by a lifeboat crew member.