A rare insight into how the RNLI build and maintain their impressive fleet of inshore boats was given to the public on the Isle of Wight last Sunday, when the first Open Day for 13 years was held at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre, East Cowes.
With nearly 700 people, some from the mainland, taking up the invitation, the site’s Operations Manager, Glyn, declared himself more than satisfied.
“An excellent day,” he said. “I expected no more than 400, and comments I heard from people was how impressed they were with the centre, the way it was so well organised and clean. Some Islanders did not even know we existed, and I was being as asked if we could do this more often.”
A highlight of the day was the naming of a new Atlantic 85 lifeboat. Funded by the legacy of Miss Elsie Baines, from Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, the boat was named after her father, Harold Baines. In a well attended ceremony, David Brook, the RNLI’s Engineering and Supply Director, said 60 percent of the RNLI’s rescues were carried out by the sort of inshore craft built at the centre.
Diana Chilcott performed the honours
A service of dedication was conducted by the Rev Andrew Wright and the Rev Val Hards. As Miss Baines apparently had no close family relatives the honour of naming the boat was given to the Hon Secretary of the Isle of Wight lifeboat board, Diana Chilcott. She poured the customary few drops of Champagne over the bow, then sharing the remainder with the rest of the VIPs.
The boat will be part of the RNLI’s relief fleet, which means it was available to be dispatched to stations all over the country, replacing the usual boat while it underwent maintenance or repair.
Much to see and do
As well as being able to tour the various large buildings and talk to staff visitors could enjoy some of the extra attractions, including donning lifeboat dry suits, face-painting, an RNLI gift stall, a man-overboard drill in the neighbouring marina, and a fly-past by the Lee on Solent coastguard rescue helicopter.
Reminders that money raised from the event would go to the Bembridge Lifeboat Appeal included a special display manned by that station’s volunteers. Also available for inspection was the beautifully restored 1887 Bembridge lifeboat, belonging to the Island’s Historic Lifeboat Trust whose leading member, Martin Woodward, was on hand to answer questions.
Funds as well as profile raised
Glyn Ellis said although raising the RNLI’s profile was the main aim of the day several hundred pounds was also raised for the Bembridge appeal. The local lifeboat guild also made money from the sale of souvenirs.
Taking turns to provide live – and lively – entertainment on the day were Raw Samba and a band comprising young members of Platform One’s Isle of Wight College of Music, called React. Both bands gave their services free of charge.
In addition to half the centre’s 90-strong workforce being on duty there were also 20 volunteers from local RNLI guilds, and representatives of Cowes RNLI Lifeboat Station, whose own Atlantic 85 ‘Pussycat’ also made an appearance, together with a crew led by Simon Hawkins.
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