Houseboat owner rescued by Newhaven RNLI trying to make it seaworthy

Ian Simpson was travelling from Dover to Portsmouth when his boat Eclipse was caught by massive waves and lost all steering near the Seven Sisters cliffs on September 27.

Newhaven RNLI rescued Ian and towed his boat into a visitor berth of Newhaven Marina where he was granted around a month to stay.

He was told his boat needed to leave by November 12 due to a returning customer needing the space which would mean there is no space for his boat Eclipse.

Newhaven RNLI towed Ian's boat Eclipse after he lost steering near the Seven Sisters at the end of September (Image: Newhaven RNLI)

The 55-year-old is determined to get it ready but said he still needs to fix the steering, ballast and bilge pump which drains the boat of seawater.

Speaking of the rescue, Ian said: “I was heading Portsmouth way, it was about 5pm. Beachy Head is notorious, I was hitting some really big waves coming over the front of the boat. It was getting scary.

“My steering went and I was just floating around like a rubber duck in the rapids.

His boat has been at Newhaven Marina since the rescue (Image: Newhaven RNLI)

“It was terrifying, I thought the boat would capsize which is why we’re moving the ballast around.

“I was towed by the RNLI and I have had loads to sort out since.

“I was supposed to leave here on November 12. I don’t think the boat was ready to leave Brighton Marina in the summer, it hadn’t had sea trials. It’s fine on a calm day.”

• READ MORE: Man's life has been 'destroyed' after being told his 21 metre houseboat must leave marina

Ian said the boat had been in Brighton Marina for the last 20 years before he bought it and was then was served with a tresspass notice which meant he had to leave in July.

He added that he bought it as a houseboat with the idea of making it seaworthy.

“I’m trying to go as soon as I can when I get parts, it’s taking time basically”, Ian said, “We’re trying to sort the ballast and steering. Long story short, it’s not ready to leave yet. The marine world moves at a tectonically slow rate.

Ian plans to head towards Cornwall in search of a permanent berth (Image: The Argus)

“They asked how long will I be here because they don’t have room for me. I think I could squeeze in somewhere.

“I hope to be gone by next week weather permitting. I’m becoming a bit of a black sheep.”

An email seen by The Argus from Newhaven Marina confirmed that after November 12 it would start charging him a daily overstay charge of £180 including VAT rising by 50 per cent every seven days.

Eclipse is situated in the visitor berth of Newhaven Marina (Image: The Argus)

A spokesman for Newhaven Marina said: “Unfortunately we are not in a position to discuss individual customers or cases.”

Ian has had a nightmare time finding a permanent home for his boat since buying it for £130,000 in December 2020.

He initially wanted to set up a wine-tasting boat tour business in Brighton before he was served the trespass notice which meant he had to leave by July 29.

Eclipse in Brighton Marina in July

Ian then went to Dover but had to move again after he said the marina closed and did not have space for him.

On his way to Portsmouth, Ian had to be rescued by the RNLI and has been in Newhaven since.

Ian’s plan is to set sail for the South West towards Cornwall as soon as possible when he feels the boat is able to cope with rough conditions.