Humber RNLI moves from Spurn Point to Grimsby
The lifesaving service provided by the crews of Humber RNLI has moved permanently from Spurn Point to maintain the best response possible for those in need of help.
It is a difficult time for crews – leaving a place pivotal to the 200-year history of the station and even a home to their families in the past – but structural issues with the jetty make it essential to operate from elsewhere.
Humber RNLI will continue providing a vital lifesaving search and rescue service from Grimsby in well-practiced arrangements.
Jamie King, Area Lifesaving Manager for the RNLI, said: 'Grimsby has been a satellite site for the Humber Lifeboat for many years where we could operate when weather conditions at Spurn Point weren’t favourable.
'We have a long history with Spurn Point, where we have launched to many hundreds of rescues in last 213 years – 33 of which led to medals for gallantry – and entire families even lived there to support their loved ones being part of our vital lifesaving work on this part of the coast.
'Sadly, a routine structural inspection in February revealed some matters that needed further investigation and, following that, we must relocate from Spurn permanently.
'It is essential that we provide safe access for our crews and that charity money is invested wisely. It is not financially viable to fund a project at such dynamic, evolving, remote site and, therefore, not possible to safely access the lifeboat.
'We have well-practiced plans in place to operate from Grimsby and our committed lifeboat crews continue providing a highly professional and skilled lifesaving response from our new base so, if people visiting the coast need our help, they will still get an excellent response.'
The issues impacting Spurn Point include ageing infrastructure. This means it is no longer commercially viable – or the best use of public donations – or safe for the RNLI to operate from this remote location.
Plans are being developed to create a permanent lifesaving facility at Grimsby, which is to include the ability to help develop crews from around the UK.
Humber Lifeboat Station has been increasingly active in supporting the development of crews from all around the British Isles over the past number of years, alongside providing a continued lifesaving service, because of the variety of experience they can offer other crews.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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