The RNLI - Life For Lifeboat Crew

In 2022 the Coastguard requested Hayling Lifeboat launch 80 times – and we’re grateful to all involved in those rescues - but life for lifeboat crew is more than just springing into action when the pager goes off... 

They are on duty 17 weeks of the year, when (apart from leaving the island during working hours if they have cover) they must be minutes from the station. 22 of the 40 crew at the station are boat crew – and in 2023 will spend approximately 1500 hours training afloat - whatever the weather conditions. The first weekend’s training exercise was in choppy seas with force 6 winds and gusts up to 37kts.

As well as training afloat there will also be over 1700 hours spent on shore - training, preparing, and maintaining the boats and equipment. The shore crew fulfil various roles, from beach master to tractor driver – they also have a comprehensive training plan and stringent procedures to follow to ensure the safe launch and recovery of the boats. So... it’s not just about being available when there’s an incident - there’s weeks, months and years of commitment and time given by so many – that enables us to continue launching and saving lives at sea.

Image: Recovering the Atlantic 85 lifeboat from the waves after the first weekend’s training exercise of 2023

For more information call:

023 9246 5641, or visit www.rnli.org