Solo sailing star Pip Hare welcomes Tower RNLI crew members aboard her new yacht

During the visit, Tower crew told Pip about their appeal for a new station, explaining that the current station is old, cramped and beyond economical improvement. Pip also shared inspirational stories with the crew from her last Vendee Globe campaign. She is now gearing up for the 2024 campaign.

Pip Hare, who used to work in the charity’s Water Safety team, said: ‘After meeting all of the fantastic crew from Tower Lifeboat Station, I know how much they deserve a new station that is fit for the future. Tower Lifeboat Station is the RNLI’s busiest station, it has rescued almost 2,000 people and saved 334 lives since it opened in 2002, which is incredible.

‘The crew explained that the current station is old and cramped but a new station will have all the modern facilities that they need to carry on saving lives. Please support the crew at Tower Lifeboat Station by donating anything you can to their fundraising appeal.’

Steve Doherty, Commander at Tower Lifeboat Station said: ‘It was fantastic to meet Pip and take a look around her new yacht. We’re delighted that she is supporting our appeal for a new station at Tower. Our lifesavers deserve a station that has proper facilities and is fit for the future. Please donate anything you can to our fundraising appeal.’

Tower Lifeboat Station is located at Waterloo Bridge in the heart of London and has been open since 2002. Although many people think of the RNLI as a costal charity, 5% of all launches take place on the Thames.

The current station floats on the river, rising and falling with each tide. The constant rocking and jolting has left the structure beyond economical improvement and has a considerable impact on the comfort of the crew. It also lacks the facilities that the crew need to give the best possible care to casualties, when the crew need to urgently administer CPR, there is no privacy from the general public. A brand new station will include modern facilities such as private, purpose-built spaces for casualty care, a drying room for kit and a new area for public engagement.

The RNLI has launched an appeal to raise funds for a new lifeboat station at Tower which will be running from Monday 6 September until Sunday 3 October 2021. For more information or to donate, please visit: rnli.org/towerstation

In February this year, Pip Hare became only the eighth woman in history to finish the Vendee Globe - a gruelling 24,000-mile, solo, round the world yacht race. She will compete in her second Vendee Globe in 2024 onboard her IMOCA 60 ‘Medallia’. For more information go to: www.piphare.com

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

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 142,700 lives.

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

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact [email protected] or call 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland)

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.