First shout for Calshot RNLI’s new D Class Lifeboat
On the evening of 16 September, Calshot RNLI’s new D Class lifeboat saw action on service for the first time.
At 10:00pm the pagers sounded and volunteer crew attended the station tasked to locate a vessel that had reported engine failure in the Hythe area.
The decision was made to launch Cashot’s D Class Lifeboat David Radcliffe and crew were soon on the water, making the twelve minute journey toward the location of the casualty.
On arrival, crew found that the owner of the casualty vessel had managed to tie onto the pier and was waiting for the water to rise to attempt to make their way back to Eling.
Due to the deteriorating weather conditions, it was agreed that the casualty vessel would be towed to the nearby Hythe Marina, where the casualty was handed over to HM Coastguard before crew returned to station at around 12:30am.
Lifeboat Operations Manager Jane Banting said: ‘We’ve had several shouts since taking delivery of our new boat, however those have all required our Atlantic 85, so this was the first time we needed to launch David Radcliffe on service. I’m sure that this will be the first of many and look forward to our latest addition assisting those on the water in the coming years.’
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact:
Justyn Leonard, Lifeboat Press Officer on 07540 920678 or email [email protected]
Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Media Officer on 07785 296252 or email [email protected]
RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789
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
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.