Events:
Our next event is:
28.11..21 Eats and Treats at Brockenhurst college
If you are able to have us attend your event then please get in touch
We are currently looking to extend our boat house and require grants and sponsorship to make this happen are you a company? could you help?
About us
To find out more about the various roles within the team
Click here
Solent Rescue was formed 50 years ago in 1971 by auxiliary coastguards as a beach rescue unit in response to a rising level of incidents in and around Lepe country park following increased numbers of visitors each year. The founders wished to address the dangers present in and around Stone Point including very strong currents, a shale spit and Gull island (both of the latter are only visible at low tide with middle sections becoming submerged first thus leading to people getting cut off by the returning water).
Over time the unit transformed into an additional lifeboat service to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to provide a SAR service to the many thousands of mariners that use the Western Solent each week in the summer. Our unit does not respond to pagers like the other RNLI and independent Lifeboats around the Solent (of which there are 6 RNLI stations and 7 Independent Stations), we instead look after the water at busy times operating Weekend and Bank holidays from Easter till September 8am till 5pm (later if needed), awaiting a call over vhf radio. We also operate in line with any large-scale event that is planned outside these times. Due to the way we operate, we are often able to respond to an incident faster than other stations that need to be paged as we are normally on the water training or at the station with the vessels at anchor off Lepe beach.
We operate 2 inshore boats, an Arctic 24 and an ex RNLI D class. Although we may be independent, we work closely with all other units around us to provide safety cover to one of the busiest commercial and leisure waterways in the UK (If not the world). With everything from cruise liners & cargo vessels, ferries & fast catamarans and even paddle boarders & windsurfers, we can be called upon to assist all manners of people and animals that may need us when they least expect it.
Why you should get involved
We are operational at weekends from Easter through to September, bank holidays and 7 days during the festival of Cowes week.
Our boat crew are trained in safety at sea, power boat handling, first aid and all activities required to keep a lifeboat operational and lookout manned, however, don't worry, prior knowledge of seamanship is not essential as excellent training is offered. From the day you join the crew, you will be able to help in the operation of the boat & shore operations.
News
Arctic 24 refurbishment.
Back in 2020, we began plans to refurbish our larger vessel, a Halmatic Arctic 24, call sign “Solent Rescue One”.
At the start of 2021, a funding opportunity from the Charles Burnett Foundation presented itself to allow us to realise a substantial proportion of these works.
Due to COVID, we found that companies who would be able to complete the required refit had substantial lead times due to restricted output capability and increased demand generated by the easing of lockdown.
However, we are extremely happy to report that last night (after a very swift and professional response from BERTHON), Solent Rescue One traversed the Western Solent to Lymington where this morning she was lifted to begin works.
The images below were taken during the transit, moored in Lymington and being lifted this morning.
Berthon very kindly will be taking photos throughout the work and we will keep you all posted throughout the coming weeks.
It has been a long path to get to here and we would like to thank you all for your continued support.
For updates on the work Click here
Solent Rescue Independent Lifeboat has been honoured to receive Queen's Award for Voluntary Service . The highest award possible for a charity in the UK.
This award is a testament to the volunteers of the unit over the last 50 years and highlights their commitment to high standards and professionalism of the work we do at Lepe Country Park.
We are extremely grateful to Councillor Alexis McEvoy who nominated us for this and would like to pass our thanks to the Hampshire Lieutenancy for considering putting us forward.
A full press release can be found here