Solent Rescue Independent Lifeboat, an organisation that provides search and rescue cover for the Western Solent, has been gifted a lifeboat.
The Arctic 24 boat, known as the Pride of Sidmouth, has been on 274 call-outs since 2004 in its role at Sidmouth Lifeboat.
It will soon be incorporated into Solent Rescue’s fleet at Lepe near Calshot and will join the D-class lifeboat in providing an emergency service to those in trouble on the Solent.
A spokesman from Sidmouth Lifeboat has said:
“Before taking delivery of our new vessel we discovered that our neighbouring independent service, Solent Rescue, was urgently looking for a replacement boat.
“We are proud to be donating Pride of Sidmouth to Solent Rescue. Not only will this plug the gap in Solent’s fleet, it also means the bequest will benefit not just one, but two independent lifeboat organisations.”
A spokesman for Solent Rescue adds:
“Solent Rescue Independent Lifeboat is an independent organisation and exists solely on the generous donations from our local community and beyond. 100 per cent of money raised is used to keep our boats maintained, and crew trained and equipped.
Article continues below this advertisement “We could not operate without the generous donations we receive from the public. Independent lifeboats work closely with the RNLI, but they also have a unique relationship with each other, working in harmony to keep every stretch of the UK’s beautiful coastline as safe as possible.
For more information visit www.solent-rescue.org.uk.
Great news.