A non-stop 24-hours for Calshot RNLI Lifeboat Station

Starting at 9.30pm in the evening of Saturday 30 June, Calshot’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Max Walls was tasked by HM Coastguard to a yacht whose anchor had become wrapped around its prop leaving them at risk of drifting.

Once the anchor was released the lifeboat’s volunteer crew were able to tow the yacht to the safety of Hamble Marina. Shortly after this Calshot’s D Class Lifeboat Willett was asked to assist Cowes RNLI lifeboat in recovery of a jet ski that was stuck ashore at Osbourne Bay with two cold casualties.

Having retrieved the jet ski, both lifeboats returned to Calshot Lifeboat Station where the casualties were given hot drinks and the opportunity to warm up. The volunteer crew were able to return to their homes shortly after midnight.

These same volunteers were then back at the lifeboat station at 8am Sunday morning in preparations for their annual Open Day. The general public were treated to live demonstrations from Calshot RNLI, New Forest Working Dogs, the Coastguard helicopter, and the Esso Tugboat.

There were opportunities for people to get their life jackets checked for free, the fire brigade and ambulance services were there, Calshot Lifeboat Station Children's Choir performed their first public performance, and there was a raffle, tombola, BBQ, cakes and refreshments!

Whilst all of this was going on the station was still active. The D Class Lifeboat was tasked at 10.30am to reports of persons in the water who had been caught by the tide.

After an extremely busy day for the crew, the D Class Lifeboat was launched again just after 7pm to a grounded cruiser off Calshot Spit with four persons on board, then again at 8.20pm to three persons in the mud at Redbridge, followed shortly by Calshot Atlantic Lifeboat being launched to a fishing boat with engine problems.

This 24-hours is not the first and is unlikely to be the last time this crew of volunteers are put to the test, but in spite of the risks these men and women give their time to help save lives at sea.

Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Laura Bean said: ‘The Open Day is a wonderful opportunity to show the community what we do at the station and to raise more awareness of the RNLI as a charity, but it doesn’t stop there, the crew train twice a week to ensure they are ready to face whatever might be waiting for them when those pagers go off. This weekend proved it can happen any time with no promise of down time in-between!’

At the time of this release, Calshot D Class Lifeboat was still out on its final shout and had been joined by Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 187. Final money raised from the open day is yet to be totalled. If you would like to keep up to date with Calshot RNLI Lifeboat Station you can follow them on Facebook /calshotlifeboat.

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Media Contacts

• Laura Bean, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Office 07772 529985 [email protected]

• Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, London and South East 07785 296252 [email protected]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact RNLI duty press officer on (01202) 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.