A warm welcome to the RNLI Lifeboat Board’s ground-breaking ‘Saving More Lives’ plan was voiced at the board’s annual meeting on Saturday (28th October).
The plan, which is incorporated in a 10-page booklet, helps co-ordinate efforts of the 3 Island RNLI stations – Bembridge, Yarmouth and Cowes – and enhances the national ‘Respect the Water’ campaign. It also recognises the need to work with other agencies, such as the Isle of Wight Council, the National Trust and the local independent lifeboat stations.
Robin Ebsworth, the board chairman said:
“It [the plan] paves the way for us to support and help develop the RNLI’s recent community safety initiatives.
“Every day people across the country, and of all backgrounds, get into danger in the water. It’s a problem we’re here to tackle, explain the risks, share safety knowledge, and rescue people whose lives are in danger. We’re here to work with others to make water a safer place for everyone.”
In his report to the meeting Robin said the RNLI’s lifeguards had been active on Sandown beach during July and August. He also commended the production, in conjunction with the Royal Yachting Association, of a ‘Better Boating’ booklet, to provide safety tips for all those involved in boating.
Board honorary treasurer, Tim Woodcock, revealed at Saturday’s meeting in Cowes that the Island’s RNLI branches and guilds accumulated net receipts of just over £231,000 during 2016, an increase of nearly £15,000 on the previous year. Of the various income streams there was a very encouraging 18% rise in the donation total, to £36,602.
Stuart Popham, the national RNLI chairman, paid tribute to all those involved in the RNLI on the Island – plus their families. It had been a busy year for the RNLI, he said, and the BBC 2 series about its work had reached millions of homes. Negotiations are said to be underway for another series.
All the board officers were re-elected, including hononory secretary Lesley Myland.
A feature of the annual meeting was an extensive display of the work of the Island’s stations, the guilds and the branches. Statistics showed that the 3 stations, up until the end of September, had between them clocked up 133 shouts during 2017 (Bembridge 37, Cowes 60 and Yarmouth 36). In 2016, the 3 stations launched on service 147 times.
