The news that Swanage RNLI is to receive a brand new inshore lifeboat to replace the old D class boat, comes at the end of its successful Swanage Lifeboat Week.
The event, which ran from Friday 12th to Sunday 21st August 2022 and aimed at raising awareness of the RNLI’s work through fundraising events, was well attended, helped by largely good weather.
The current inshore lifeboat on standby as the build a boat competitors find out whether their vessels will float or sink!
‘Phyl and Jack’ to be replaced
The current inshore lifeboat named after the couple who funded it, Phyl and Jack Cleare, was gifted to Swanage Lifeboat Station in September 2012 but is now due to be replaced. More details about the new boat will be known in 2023, when it is expected to arrive.
The RNLI is reliant for much of its income on generous donations from people like the Cleare family and those who give money during events like Swanage Lifeboat Week.
Over the last few years, it’s been difficult for the RNLI to fundraise with Covid restrictions, so it was a welcome relief for many that it was able to go ahead in 2022.
One of the first events was the popular duck race
A race of a different kind – competitors registering for the Lighthouse Loop were caught in a torrential downpour but the actual fun run still went ahead as planned
“Lots of people attending events”
Swanage Lifeboat crew member Becky Mack said:
“There’s been a bit of a gap since our last lifeboat week but it’s worked well this year and we’ve had lots of people attending events. We’re already got lots of ideas for next year with plans for more musical acts, which are very popular.
“Our main focus at Swanage Lifeboat Station is to raise awareness of what we do and it’s a bonus that we raise money too. It’s great to see the crew and all the other RNLI volunteers, all helping to make this happen.
“If anyone wishes to get involved in next year’s lifeboat week, then they just need to drop in at the Lifeboat Station and let us know – we always welcome new volunteers.”
Swanage RNLI crew helping out at Prince Albert Gardens. Left to right: Sam Aggas, Alice Haw, Swanage Lifeboat Station coxswain Dave Turnbull and Dan Lander
Crew member Becky Mack with other members of the crew running the bar
Saving lives at sea
The RNLI is a charity that saves lives at sea and has been doing so for nearly 200 years.
In Swanage there is an all weather lifeboat that can go out into the English Channel to rescue boats and crews in trouble and a smaller inshore lifeboat that can get close to the coastline, rescuing people from rock ledges and caves.
All the Swanage crew members, except the coxswain, are volunteers and go out at any time or day to help those in trouble.
Build a boat competition challenged teams to build a seaworthy boat with a minimum amount of materials in a short period of time
The teams assemble on the beach ready to race their boats
More news to follow
Becky added:
“We’ll have a debrief in September about lifeboat week and then work out any changes that we want to make or new things that we want to introduce for next year.
“And hopefully, we may have a new inshore lifeboat by then too. We’ll let everyone know more about its arrival and all the details about it, as soon as we hear from HQ!”
Watch the build a boat competiton – Who floats and who sinks…
Further information
- More about Swanage Lifeboat Station is on the RNLI website
Swanage Lifeboat Week ended with a service at Swanage Pier on Sunday 21st August 2022
