The terrifying incident unfolded in brutal coastal seas, when a lone sailor aboard a yacht was driven onto the jagged rocks of the West Arm at Newhaven Harbour. The vessel was battered repeatedly by towering waves inside the harbour, smashing it against the harbour arm until the hull began to break apart. By the time rescue crews reached the scene, the yacht was being torn into pieces and floating wreckage surrounded the trapped man.
The Lydd-based HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was scrambled to the unfolding disaster, but the mission came with added urgency — the aircraft was now critically low on fuel. Despite dwindling reserves and deteriorating conditions below, the crew made the brave decision to deploy their specialist winch paramedic into the violent surge.
Winch Paramedic Chris was lowered toward the shattered yacht, battling sea spray, timing his descent between dangerous swells and dodging crashing waves. With exceptional precision, calm judgement and physical bravery, he reached the casualty, pulled him clear of the rocks and secured him for a dramatic hoist into the hovering helicopter above.
On the harbour arm, the Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Team worked as essential ground support, preparing for the very real possibility of winch failure. As a backup lifesaving plan, the team lowered a life-ring over the sea wall into the boiling sea below, standing ready to intervene.
Once the winch extraction succeeded, Newhaven CRT received both the rescued sailor and winch paramedic on land. The team provided immediate casualty care, moved both from the danger zone and transported the injured man to safety before handing him into the care of South East Coast Ambulance Service crews, who provided onward medical treatment.
The RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat crew from Newhaven were acknowledged for their offshore support during the incident and were named joint recipients of the International Ocean Safety Award alongside HM Coastguard.
All three teams were formally recognised for their courage, skill and flawless multi-agency coordination, when they were presented with the prestigious International Ocean Safety Award on 22 November by the International Association of Cape Horners — an elite and highly respected global sailing body. The award honours the single most daring rescue of any sailor or crew anywhere in the world, placing Newhaven and Lydd’s responders at the pinnacle of international maritime lifesaving excellence.
Assistant Chief Coastguard Matt Leat accepted the award on behalf of the crews.
He said: “Congratulations to the crew of the Lydd-based HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter who are rightly being honoured for their skill, determination and bravery. I am proud to work alongside Chris, his colleagues and the many teams, crews and individuals — including our partners at Bristow and the RNLI — that make HM Coastguard a truly exceptional emergency service committed to saving lives at sea.”
The man rescued from the yacht has not been publicly identified, but the life-saving operation on the West Arm of Newhaven Harbour is already being regarded as one of the most daring rescues in modern UK Coastguard history and a proud moment for Sussex’s sea-based emergency responders.
Add your first comment to this post