A Norfolk lifeboat station and its craft are looking spick and span thanks to an early Christmas present in the shape of state-of-the-art cleaning kit costing more than £6,000.
The pressure washer and floor scrubber dryer are saving volunteers at Hunstanton hours of time by speeding up their cleans.
The machines were donated to the busy station by manufacturer Kärcher UK as part of a four-year partnership with the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea.
The £2,500 pressure washer helps to remove salt and sand from the station's lifeboat and hovercraft, along with the 'Bendy' tractor which helps to launch and recover the craft.
All must be cleaned down thoroughly after every 'shout' or training exercise to ward off corrosion.
The £3,800 scrubber dryer removes stubborn sand from the boathouse and hovercraft shed, which must be kept free of debris.
The crew would previously have to sweep the floor with brooms, before using hoses and squeegees - a process which could tie up two or three people for an hour or more.
Mike Gould, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Hunstanton RNLI, said: 'The equipment we've received from Kärcher UK will really help the crew in the vital maintenance of the station and craft.
'The pressure washer and scrubber dryer were just what we wanted for Christmas.
'They will help to save us time and continue to ensure we are ready to launch to those in difficulty at sea.'
World-leader Kärcher UK has committed more than £300,000 of cleaning equipment to RNLI lifeboat stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland.
It includes professional-grade pressure washers and other important cleaning appliances to support vital maintenance.
This year marks the second phase of equipment rollout after 65 RNLI lifeboat stations received Kärcher UK cleaning equipment in 2023.
Each will receive different cleaning appliances to help speed up processes and improve cleaning power, so RNLI lifesavers can easily get ready to launch again.
James Gordon, Kärcher UK marketing director said: 'We are proud and honoured to be partnering with the RNLI, and supporting the vital work they do in saving lives at sea.
'We're delighted that our equipment will play a role in keeping the boats and stations clean and ready for callouts at all times during the year.'
As well as providing cleaning equipment, Kärcher UK are supporting the RNLI by promoting the charity’s Float to Live lifesaving campaign, along with sales promotions to raise vital funds for the lifesaving charity.
In June 2023, Kärcher UK celebrated two years in partnership with the charity by launching the UK’s first Float Spa.
Visitors can learn and practise the RNLI’s lifesaving Float to Live advice while enjoying the Bude Sea Pool, in north Cornwall.
RNLI photo captions
The photos show crew member Mark Nicholson using the pressure washer to clean the 'Bendy' tractor at Hunstanton RNLI, and Lifeboat Operations Manager, Mike Gould with the scrubber dryer in the boathouse.
Both should be credited RNLI/Chris Bishop.
Notes to editors
Hunstanton is one of the busiest lifeboat Stations in Norfolk.
Its volunteers operate the fast inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and search and rescue hovercraft
Hunstanton Flyer.
To find out more about the launch of the RNLI’s partnership with Kärcher UK, visit the RNLI’s News Centre.
RNLI media contacts
For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219, Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641, or the RNLI Press Office 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, Twitter 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.