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New lifeboat for Mudeford RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

On Thursday 4th December, the Mudeford RNLI volunteer crew marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new one as they said goodbye to their much-loved lifeboat, 'Mudeford Servant', and welcomed their brand new Atlantic 85, 'Henrietta H', into service.

RNLI/Des Stevens

The Mudeford RNLI volunteer crew bringing their new Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Henrietta H, to its new home at Mudeford Lifeboat Station
On a beautiful autumn morning, members of the volunteer RNLI crew readied their Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Mudeford Servant, for its final launch from the station. With perfect weather and sea conditions, the crew took the lifeboat that has operated at Mudeford for 18 years, to the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Centre at Cowes on the Isle of Wight. They returned to station a few hours later in their new Atlantic 85, B948, Henrietta H.

Mudeford RNLI volunteer helm, Ian Parker said, 'Our Atlantic 85 lifeboat Mudeford Servant has helped us to save many lives over the past 18 years while keeping our crew safe in some severe conditions on occasions. It was sad to see her go, but we have received a fantastic new boat to carry on saving lives at sea.'

Mudeford RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Steve Doe, reflected on the legacy of Mudeford Servant. The Mudeford Servant Atlantic 85 lifeboat has been at the station since 2006 and has launched over 2500 times including over 1000 shouts to those in difficulty on the water. As the oldest active Atlantic 85 in the RNLI fleet it was bittersweet to say goodbye, however, we are excited to embrace the future with the arrival of our new Atlantic 85, Henrietta H.'

The new lifeboat, Henrietta H was funded by the generosity of Mrs Dorothy Ann Hunter of Portsmouth, who passed away in April 2016 and bequeathed her entire residuary estate to the RNLI. Steve explains, 'Dorothy and her late husband Derek built and sailed their own boats, always naming them Henrietta H. We are very grateful to Dorothy for her generous donation which enables us to keep saving lives at sea.'

An official naming ceremony for the new lifeboat will be held at Mudeford Lifeboat Station in 2025.

The Mudeford Servant Atlantic 85 lifeboat launched 79 times in 2024 and 85 times in 2023.

RNLI/Jane Parkinson

Members of the Mudeford RNLI voluntee crew stand aboard, Mudeford Servant, before its final launch from Mudeford Lifeboat Station

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.

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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.