18th October 2019

Mims Davies MP for Eastleigh hosted a meeting with Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury Nusrat Ghani MP and other MP's who have an independent lifeboat station in their area. This meeting also included Dr Julian Lewis MP for New Forest East.

The meeting took place in Westminster and was a good networking opportunity for us to chat with other units from around the country and also try and raise the profile of the work that we do in and around Lepe. We had a good discussion with Dr Lewis about how the unit is progressing and how we have changed over the last year and we also spoke about how he could help us to move forward in the future. 

During the day, we also had the opportunity to talk with the other units and discuss best practices, how they work with their local MPs and how they fundraise as a unit.

Overall the day was a great success and hopefully raised the profile of all the Independent Lifeboat charities around the country.

12th February 2019

We'd like to say a massive thank you to Hythe & Dibden Parish Council for their generous donation of £200. This donation will go towards funding a public access Automated External Difibrillator (AED) to be based at our unit at Lepe Country Park. 

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Statistics show that if an AED is used and effective CPR is performed on a casualty within 3-5 minutes of a cardiac arrest, their chance of survival increases from 6% to 74% 

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Lets hope we never have to use it but by having it on site, it will go a huge way to helping to save a life - so thank you! 

29th January 2019

With thanks to our friends at Thurston Signs in Holbury, Solent Rescue Mobile has undergone a rebrand. We've added 'Lifeboat Orange' colours to our Hilux on the front bonnet and roof, as well as in a battenburg pattern down the side. This will allow us to be much more visible to members of the public when carrying out our patrols at Lepe Country Park so we can operate as safely as possible in areas that get extremely busy during the summer season.

4th August 2019

Solent Rescues D-class Lifeboat was on a routine patrol this afternoon (Sunday) heading towards the Beaulieu river when they came across a motor boat who were drifting due to engine failure with 5 persons on board - 2 of which were children. All were wearing life jackets so a decision was taken to attempt to tow the boat back to Bucklers Hard.

Due to the vessel only having two points in which a line could be attached and the size of the vessel, it quickly became clear that it would be hard work for our D-class to complete the tow safely. Solent Rescue therefore radioed Solent Coastguard for a bigger Lifeboat be sent to the scene. Cowes RNLI Atlantic 85 was tasked and Solent Rescue towed the motorboat to our anchor point off of Lepe Beach whilst waiting for Cowes to attend. Once on scene Cowes quickly took over the tow and took the boat back to Bucklers Hard. 

Wayne Monks Solent Rescues Public Relations Officer says:

This showed great working between an Independent Lifeboat and the RNLI. We train for these events and it was fortunate that we were on a routine patrol and were able to assist the boat before it ran aground and we thank Cowes Lifeboat for their help with the tow.

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12th February 2019

On Tuesday evening, New Forest District Councillor Mrs. Alexis McEvoy visited the crew during one of their Tuesday evening training sessions.

Being a small unit, Solent Rescue really does appreciate the work put in by our closest councillor. Throughout the years, Cllr. McEvoy has been a sound supporter of our organisation, especially in times around the most stressful events, and we are very grateful for the generosity she has shown to our unit, including a very kind donation of £1,150 back in January this year. A great start to the year!

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26th June 2019

After an enormously kind gift from fellow Independent Lifeboat station Sidmouth Lifeboat, Solent Rescue are the proud new guardians of 'The Pride of Sidmouth', a 7.66m fully-coded Rescue Rib. This will replace Solent Rescues current larger lifeboat, known as SR1 and will be better suited to the type of waters Solent Rescue operates in. 

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A full release can be read on the Solent Rescue Facebook page. 

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Photo: Kyle Baker

9th February 2019

This evening, Wayne Monks (Solent Rescue Fundraising Officer) attended an evening organised by the Netley Marsh Steam & Craft show. During the evening, Wayne was generously presented with a cheque for £300 for Solent Rescue. 

We are very honoured to be one of their chosen charities and we are extremely grateful for the kind donation received, which will help the unit in the many ways to best prepare for the season ahead. 

Please visit to find out more about the Netley Marsh Steam & Craft Fair and to get all the latest news on the show, which is taking place this year on the 26th, 27th & 28th July 2019.

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