Ryde Inshore Rescue has been granted £31,000 by the Department for Transport, which will help fund the purchase and kitting out of a brand new secondary lifeboat for the charity.
Currently, volunteers crew 2 lifeboats from the Appley-based station; Ryde Rescue 1 and Ryde Rescue 2. The latter and smaller of the 2 was second hand to the service when it was bought 7 years ago, so the time has come to order a replacement.
£28,000 of the grant money will be used to purchase a 4.8m RIB, a new engine and up-to-date electronics. Ryde Rescue 2 is often used for searches in shallow waters including under Ryde Pier.
The remaining £3,000 will be used to purchase a defibrillator and oxygen bottle for the life-saving volunteers to take to sea when the need arises. This means that there will still be a defibrillator on station whilst the lifeboat is out on a shout.
