RNLI Portishead Lifeboat goes for refit
Since launching on service on 16th September 2015 and with nearly 4 years on station, My Lady Anne the RNLI’s Atlantic 85 class lifeboat based in Portishead, has gone back to the Isle of Wight where she was made, for a full service.
Whilst My Lady Anne is away the crew have another Atlantic 85 Lifeboat on loan from the RNLI relief fleet, Peterborough Beer Festival III. They are identical boats and the crew have already been out on numerous training exercises and have already responded to 4 call outs since she arrived on 26thAugust. Her first call for help came in just as the crew left the Marina the day she arrived when the crew were tasked to try and find someone reported to be in trouble off of Battery Point. That call was short lived as the crew were stood down within just a few minutes of being tasked, it was a call with good intent.
My Lady Anne was built by the skilled RNLI team at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre in Cowes and was their first Atlantic 85 to be completely constructed by the boatbuilding team there in 2015. Up until that time parts of the Atlantic class lifeboats weremade in different areas and would be assembled at the site.
Within the ILC (Inshore Lifeboat Centre), there is a team of 70 highly skilled boatbuilders, fitters, electricians and solutionists work to build and maintain up to 50 boats each and every year. This includes inflatable B class (which is what we have in Portishead) and D class lifeboats, and lifeguards’ inshore rescue boats (IRBs).
RNLI Technicians work across two buildings, supported by a team of office workers, store persons and apprentices. There’s a dedicated laminating shop, spray booth, machine shop and welding bay, specifically for the creation of our B class Atlantic inflatable lifeboats. You can go and visit the centre and take a tour of the facilities there. For more information go on line https://rnli.org/what-we-do/lifeboats-and-stations/building-our-lifeboats/inshore-lifeboat-centre
You can still see My Lady Anne and her crew before November if you tune in to the new BBC series of ‘Saving Lives At Sea’ which is on BBC 2, 8pm every Tuesday. The Portishead volunteers will feature, if you keep an eye on their RNLI Portishead Facebook page they will keep you up to date with when they will be on.
Another date for your diary, April 26th2020 will be the annual RNLI Open Day where the Portishead team of volunteers and their supporters will be celebrating their 5thAnniversary put it on the calendar and come and join the fun, don’t miss it!
Notes to editors
All figures quoted were accurate at the time of going to print.
All images are the copywright of the RNLI in Portishead
1 My Lady Anne (in the background) waiting to be lifted out of Portishead Marina, Peterborough Beer Festival III being lifted in ready for service.
2 My Lady Anne with her volunteer crew
3 Peterborough Beer Festival III joining the volunteers in Portishead
4 Ready for service
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For more information please telephone Helen Lazenby, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07800 595 995 or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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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 over 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 142,200 lives.
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.