The RNLI this week launched a £1m Appeal to help Bembridge build the lifeboat station that its crew and community deserve.

The Bembridge boathouse appeal, was launched on Monday, when Bembridge lifeboat’s volunteer crew members joined dignitaries from across the Isle of Wight at Bembridge sailing club.

The redevelopment of Bembridge lifeboat station is an RNLI priority.  The current all weather boathouse, built in 1922, is ill equipped and suffering from concrete rot and the slipway is starting to crumble.

In 2007 the Bembridge lifeboat launched 48 times, rescuing 63 people and not only provide rescue cover to people in trouble at sea.   About 10,000 people visit the lifeboat station every year, including 2,500 school children attending as part of their school curriculum.

As such the official launch saw two surprise donations, one from Bembridge sailing club and one from Ryde junior school.

The new station will provide the RNLI with a first class facility that will be able to accommodate future generations of lifeboats.  Both the walkway and slipway are suffering from concrete rot and are starting to crumble. The redevelopment of Bembridge lifeboat station is an RNLI priority.

The new facilities will also make it easier for crew to change into their kit and board the lifeboat, resulting in casualties being recovered more quickly and their chances of survival being greatly increased – seconds can make all of the difference between life and death.

Bembridge Lifeboat Operations Manager Graham Hall says:

‘Our lifeboat station was constructed in 1922 to house a lifeboat weighing 8 tonnes, but technology and times have changed a great deal. Both the walkway and the slipway are now beginning to deteriorate beyond repair, and the station is in need of attention.

‘The current lifeboat, Max Aitken III, is due to be retired in 2010 and will be replaced by the latest, most advanced lifeboat class, the Tamar.  The Tamar is more powerful than the Tyne and is also higher, heavier and wider.’

Better storage conditions for crew kit are also needed, as it doesn’t dry out properly between shouts.
 
RNLI Regional Appeals Manager Tracey Harris says:

‘The proposals for the new Bembridge lifeboat station are currently awaiting a decision regarding planning permission but, because the RNLI is a charity, we have launched this appeal to ensure funds are there for when we can start work.

Naturally we hope to get planning permission for all the proposals, but we may get permission for an amended version.
 
‘The fact remains that Bembridge lifeboat station will have to undergo some work to ensure it can continue to support the RNLI’s remit of saving lives at sea, so any monies raised during the course of the Bembridge appeal will go towards that work.’
 
DONATE NOW AND HELP BEMBRIDGE BUILD A LIFEBOAT STATION FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

Donate online or call 0845 650 3999 and quote ‘BLSA’ or send a donation to RNLI Bembridge Appeal, Admail 4109, Bembridge PO35 5ZS

Isle of Wight Community news @Island Pulse.