Something inside tells me that it was HMS Pursuer, but I'm not 100% sure.

What was HMS Pursuer, with a name like that was it a Customs boat or similar?

Yes Richard, you're quite right. These craft are small patrol craft some of which were originally built at Shoreham by a company called Watercraft Ltd, but when that firm went into insolvency the remaining craft were completed by Vosper Thornycroft at Portsmouth. Some are attached to Dartmouth Naval College, and some carry out coastal patrol duties occasionally calling into Newhaven.

I did comment on this but it seems to have vanished into the ether.

Echoing what Chris has now said, we saw a few of these from time to time, and still do. That young Lieutenant may well be experiencing command for the first time, and the Midshipmen will most likely be studying at Dartmouth .

Definitely 'snotties' and a young lieutenant with what looks like a senior officer or rate at the rear with the beard. The other alternative could be that they are ships' company from the type 22 frigate HMS Brazen who, I believe, sent a party to Newhaven in the 80's to clean up the memorial to the previous HMS Brazen that is in the churchyard. I was on her sistership HMS Battleaxe at the time.

NB: Rob isn't being disrepectful (well not too much!) in the use of the term 'snotties'. It's a Royal Navy term of, er, endearment for Midshipmen. They're recognised by having no gold braid on their sleeves, but the white flash on their lapels. Andy, Editor

Thanks Andy. Together with the white flash on their sleeve was a gold button or buttons which meant if they had a runny nose they couldnt wipe it with their sleeve...hence the term 'snotties'. I believe it dates back to Nelson's time.

Can anybody put a date on this photo please.

I have since found out that this is definitely the visit to Newhaven of HMS Pursuer.  Date of visit was 12 June 1993.  I have added copy of entry in Day Club visitor's book and a picture of the craft.