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Solent Rescue is a small independent rescue charity run entirely by volunteers, and funded by charitable donations.
We started as a beach rescue service in 1971, operating from a lookout on the cliff top at Lepe Country Park – a place we still call home today.
Over time our service has grown, we now operate two fully coded inshore lifeboats, and our lookout provides first aid cover over weekends and during events for the country park.
We run beach patrols, monitor activity on the water, provide safety advice, and attend local events in the community.
Our lifeboats spend the weekends at sea, ready to respond immediately to those in distress, and we provide a 24/7 response as an emergency service to HM Coastguard.
We are also members of the Solent Sea Rescue Organisation, and the National Independent Lifeboat Association.
Solent Rescue One is our largest inshore lifeboat, an Arctic 24 built by VT Halmatic in 2004, the "Pride of Sidmouth" served Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat before arriving with us in 2019.
Powered by two Tohatsu 140 horse power 4-stroke outboard engines, the vessel can reach a top speed of nearly 50 knots, and is equipped with a comprehensive suite of navigation, search and rescue and casualty care equipment.
Features include a righting bag mounted to the a-frame, and a quick fill and release bow ballast tank for the rough 4-meter seas that the boat is built to tackle.
A four person crew typically takes the boat to sea, comprising of a Coxswain, Navigator and 2 crew for working the equipment on deck, or providing casualty care.
Solent Rescue Two is our smaller inshore lifeboat, an Ex-RNLI D-Class, "Quantum Lepe" previously served with the RNLI before arriving with us in 2023.
Powered by a 50 horse power 2-stroke outboard engine, the vessel can reach a top speed of 25 knots, and is equipped with similar navigation systems to our larger boat, alongside the search and rescue and casualty care equipment.
Features include a fully inflatable keep and hull, with a 'pod' at the front of the boat housing the battery, electronics and some equipment. The boat can operate in 2-meter waves, but with no seating, crew work the boat while kneeling on the deck.
A three person crew typically takes the boat to sea, comprising of a Coxswain, Navigator and 1 crew for working the equipment on deck, or providing casualty care.
Solent Rescue has two land-based assets in our fleet
Our Massey Furguson tractor is used for launching the lifeboats across the shingle at Lepe Beach.
Our Toyota Hilux transports crew and equipment through the country park and beyond.
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