Portishead Lifeboat Station

Portishead Lifeboat Station (based in Portishead, Somerset) opened in 1995 as Portishead Lifeboat Trust, an independent lifeboat operating from Sugar Loaf Bay. It was adopted by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 2015 when a new lifeboat station was opened adjacent to Portishead Pier.

Portishead Lifeboat Station
Portishead, Somerset
General information
TypeRNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationEastcliff, BS20 7HG
CountryEngland
Coordinates51°29′39″N 2°45′26″W
Opened1995
OwnerRoyal National Lifeboat Institution

The station currently (2019) operates a B-class (Atlantic 85) RNLB My Lady Anne (B-884) with around 40 volunteer crew.

History

A rescue service in the waters off Portishead was provided from 1967 until 1992 by Portishead Yacht Club. The Portishead Lifeboat Trust was established as a charity in 1995 to provide a replacement service. Their first lifeboat was operational from 6 October 1996 using a base at the Yacht Club's premises in Sugar Loaf Bay to the south of the town.[1]

On 28 August 2008 the lifeboat crew were undertaking a training exercise when the lifeboat was damaged by heavy seas. Their 'mayday' was answered by the RNLI lifeboat from Weston-super-Mare and the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA).[2] The Portishead Lifeboat Trust borrowed a lifeboat from SARA while repairs were undertaken by Ribcraft. This lifeboat was later replaced with one leased from the RNLI.[3]

In 2011 the Portishead Lifeboat Trust approached the RNLI to discuss them being adopted by that organisation so as to give a more secure long-term future. The RNLI agreed to this but subject to building a new lifeboat station with better facilities. This was agreed in 2013 and the following year construction of the new station was started. The building was completed early in 2015.[4][5] The RNLI asked that the local community should raise £232,000 towards the costs but this was significantly exceeded when an anonymous donor came forward with £500,000.[6]

The Portishead Lifeboat Trust was called out more than 300 times to assist nearly 500 people, and saving 14 lives. In 2014 they could call upon 23 crew members and 11 shore crew, all of whom were volunteers.[1]

On 24 April 2015, the RNLI formally adopted The Portishead Lifeboat Trust when Portishead became the RNLI's 238th Lifeboat Station.

Area of operation

The Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat (ILB) in use since 2008 can go out in Force 7 winds (Force 6 at night) and operate at up to 32 knots (59 km/h) for 2½ hours.[7] It covers an area of the Bristol Channel around the River Avon, including the Avon itself running up into the city of Bristol. In 2019 they have around 40 volunteer crew members.

Adjacent ILBs are provided by the RNLI at Weston-super-Mare to the south and at Barry Dock to the west, also by the independent Severn Area Rescue Association to the north. Barry Dock can provide a larger All Weather Lifeboat when required.

Fleet
B-733 Brandy Hole on its carriage.
Dates in service Class Op. No. Name Comments
1996–2003 6.5m RIB Portishead Lifeboat Replaced by Denbar Sage at the end of her service life.
2003–2010 6.5m RIB Denbar Sage Paid for by a donation from a local resident.
2010–2013 Atlantic 75-class B-729 Rose West Leased from the RNLI
2013–2015 Atlantic 75-class B-733 Brandy Hole Leased from the RNLI
2015 Atlantic 75-class B-759 Spirit of Clovelly First RNLI operational lifeboat
2015–present Atlantic 85-class B-884 My Lady Anne Second RNLI operational lifeboat

See also

References
  1. "History of the Portishead Lifeboat". portishead-lifeboat.org.uk. Portishead Lifeboat Trust. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  2. "Boat lent to mayday lifeboat team". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  3. "Crews rush to stricken lifeboat". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  4. "RNLI looks at 'adopting' Portishead's lifeboat team". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  5. "Portishead Lifeboat: new station plans get go-ahead". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  6. "Lifeboat station given £500,000 anonymous donation". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  7. "Atlantic 75 and 85 (B Class)". rnli.org.uk. RNLI. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
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