Newhaven RNLI

03/09/2026

🧜🏽‍♀️TIME FOR A FUNDRAISING DIP!🧜🌊🌊

Join and support the Seaford Mermaid's annual Big Swim fundraiser on Saturday 19 September at 7.45am on the beach at Buckle, Seaford 🏊🏼‍♀️ All welcome! 🏊🏼‍♀️

Since the Mermaids' founder, Ruth Rose, started this appeal in 2000, Seaford Mermaids have raised a whopping £42,000 for Newhaven RNLI! Now an annual tradition, the Big Swim raises vital funds for our lifeboat station, thanks to the generous and safety conscious spirit of the Mermaids' open water swimmers.

The Seaford Mermaids are an inclusive swimming community who meet for regular swims at Seaford beach. They were formed in response to improving safety and community for open water swimmers. Organisers Emmeline (also RNLI crew) and Helen provide swimmers with vital info on weather and tide times each day, to keep them safe and enjoying the sea.💙

Now in its 7th year, the Big Swim is always a fun and friendly event. RNLI lifeboat crew members are joining in the swim, while local shanty band The Wreckers will serenade the swimmers as they take the plunge. 🌊

The Newhaven RNLI fundraising team will be collecting donations on the day via cash or card, and you can also donate via the JustGiving link in the comments. It's always a fun and friendly event, and whether swimming or spectating, bringing cake and a hot drink is strongly recommended! See you there!🍰 ☕🏊‍🏊🏾‍♂️

31/08/2026

An update on our seagull pal...fly safe little one!

27/08/2026

⚠ High risk of tidal cut off between Thursday 27 August through to Friday 3 September ⚠

❗If you're planning to walk, paddle, paraglide or get out on the water along our coastline, be aware that high tides will increase the shoreline risk of getting cut off by the rising tide for the following period:
Cut off risk 27/08/26 (Thursday)
Greater cut off risk 28/08/26-03/09/26 (Friday-Thursday)

Tide times and heights vary throughout the month, a beach that was clear yesterday at 5pm might be completely covered in sea at the same time today. Tides also vary by season, and during the current period will have greater depth range between high and low water, so at high tide the water comes in further and faster up the beach.

This weekend marks the final weekend of Newhaven RNLI's Water Safety Team's joint venture with Birling Gap - National Trust, where our Water Safety Team will be chatting to the public to increase knowledge about the risks of tidal cut-off along the Sussex coast. Many visitors to beauty spots along our coastline are unaware of the risks, and even locals can get caught out. The video shows a compilation of Newhaven RNLI rescues involving people cut off by the tide.

So if you're out for a walk on the coast, don't forget:

- Always check forecast and tides before you set out ✅
- Let someone know your plans ✅
- Carry a means of communication ✅

📹 Newhaven RNLI rescues to people cut off by the tide, credit: Newhaven RNLI

26/08/2026

📣 We are recruiting for a Lifeboats Visits Officer!📣

Can you spare some time to contribute to our lifesaving work by raising awareness about the RNLI and our lifeboat station in the local community?

Volunteering as a Lifeboat Visits Officer is an vital role within the charity as we aim to save the lives of people of all age groups through our visits programme.

As a Lifeboat Visits Officer you will:

- Encourage local schools, youth and adult organisations to visit the lifeboat station.
- Welcome visitors to the station, so that they can learn about the local lifeboat and the wider RNLI.
- Supporting the RNLI's One Crew ethos while recruiting and managing a visits team of volunteers to assist with presentations and to create a welcoming environment for visitors.
- Champion the RNLI and building its reputation in the area.
- Liaise with operational volunteers at the station to ensure visits run in a safe and smooth manner alongside operational activities.

If you have enthusiasm, good communication skills, and enjoy working as part of a friendly and inclusive team, we'd love to hear from you. Confidence working with diverse groups and young people is a plus!

In return you'll learn new skills to enhance your CV, and get the ultimate job satisfaction of giving back to your community and helping to save lives at sea by communicating the work that we do.

👉 For more info and to apply, DM us with any questions or see link in comments 🌊

25/08/2026

Saving Gulls At Sea! ⚓🌊

While out training last night, Newhaven RNLI's ILB crew carried out an unexpected rescue.

Led by Helm Chris Glasspool, crew members Steve Hopson, Charly Pearce and Will Rowell were practising their boat handling skills in calm seas near the western end of the breakwater. Will had moved the boat near the rock armour, and deposited Steve onto the rocks to act as a casualty in preparation for a mocked up rescue of someone trapped on the edge of the rocky shore.

But before they commenced the exercise, Steve noticed something trapped between the rocks: a baby seagull trapped with a hook and line wrapped round it. Another baby gull was next to it, which had sadly died. The rest of the crew returned in the lifeboat and, acting quickly and calmly, helped to cut the bird free before bringing it aboard the lifeboat. Chris requested Solent Coastguard to call East Sussex WRAS who arranged to meet the crew back at the lifeboat station.

On returning to the station, Charly comforted the bird while the rest of the crew carried out post recovery checks and got the ILB ready for its next service. Will (pictured here) also had a little cuddle, before the bird was collected by WRAS. They intend to release the gull back in Newhaven in the coming days once treated for its injuries. 💙

📷Photo of crew member Will Rowell with baby herring gull, credit Newhaven RNLI/Steve Hopson

20/08/2026

Everyone at Newhaven RNLI is saddened by the tragedy at Shoreham this week. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those that lost their lives, and we send heartfelt solidarity and love to our colleagues at Shoreham RNLI Lifeboat Station 💙

13/08/2026

Did you catch the solar eclipse?😎🌙

Yesterday evening, Newhaven RNLI's volunteer ALB crew undertook their regular Wednesday training under magical skies! They completed an anchoring exercise with the Delta anchor for crew member Marty McCrossan to be marked as ‘trained in’ in preparation for his Tier 1 pass out on the ALB. ⚓

Thanks to Coxswain Alex Beckett for the fabulous photo!

📷Credit Alex Beckett / Newhaven RNLI

11/08/2026

⚠ High risk of tidal cut off between Tuesday 11 August through to Tuesday 18 August ⚠

❗If you're planning to walk, paddle, paraglide or get out on the water along our coastline, be aware that high tides will increase the shoreline risk of getting cut off by the rising tide for the following period:

Cut off risk 11/08/26 - Tuesday
Greater cut off risk 12/08/26-18/08/26 (Wednesday-Tuesday)

Newhaven RNLI's volunteer Water Safety Team have joined Birling Gap - National Trust in an awareness campaign to increase public knowledge about the risks of tidal cut-off along the Sussex coast. So if you're out for a walk on the coast, don't forget:

- Always check forecast and tides before you set out ✅
- Let someone know your plans ✅
- Carry a means of communication ✅

📷Newhaven RNLI volunteer crew on a rescue to people cut off by the tide, credit: Newhaven RNLI

06/08/2026

🌊 Our fundraising gig with The Unmistakeable Blues Brothers is at The View at Seaford Head on 18 September.
Get your dancing shoes and sunglasses ready!🕶️🕶️🕺💃

Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-unmistakable-blues-brothers-tickets-1983878537109

The Blues Brothers are returning on Fri 18th Sept..
Grab your tickets now!
https://bluesbrothersnewhaven.eventbrite.co.uk