Mudeford Lifeboat Station

Mudeford Lifeboat Station[1] is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Mudeford, Christchurch, Dorset in England. The first lifeboat was stationed on Mudeford Quay 1963 and the present station was opened in 2003. It operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat (ILB).

Mudeford Lifeboat Station
Christchurch
General information
TypeRNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationMudeford Quay, BH23 4AB
CountryEngland
Coordinates50.724337°N 1.742143°W / 50.724337; -1.742143
OpenedStation opened 1963
Present building 2003
OwnerRoyal National Lifeboat Institution

History

During the 1960s the RNLI deployed inflatable ILBs at places around the coast where a quick response to increasing numbers of leisure boats and water users could not be made by larger all-weather lifeboats (ALBs) at stations established to serve commercial shipping. Mudeford Quay, at the entrance to Christchurch Harbour, was selected as a suitable place and a small inflatable boat provided. This type of boat could only operate in relatively good conditions and were seldom used in the winter. As their usefulness was proven some stations received an 'intermediate' ILB which could operate in more severe conditions. One of these C-class boats was stationed at Mudeford in 1981, a new boathouse being opened for it on 28 June.[2]

In 1988 the crew facilities were improved and the following year a new type of boat arrived. This was a B Class rigid-hulled inflatable. In 2003 a new boathouse and crew facilities were opened on 25 October.[2]

Description

The crew facilities are in a two-storey building. This is rendered and has a tile roof; large first floor windows at both ends give views across the water. Adjoining this and at right angles is the boathouse. This is built of timber with large windows along one side that allow visitors to see the lifeboat inside. The roof is metal with large skylights. The boat doors open onto a concrete platform and shallow slipway.

Area of operation

The Atlantic 85 can go out in Force 6/7 winds (Force 5/6 at night) and can operate at up to 35 knots (65 km/h) for 2½ hours.[3] Adjacent lifeboats are at Lymington Lifeboat Station to the east, and Poole Lifeboat Station to the west.[4] If a larger ALB is needed in the area it will come from Swanage.

Current fleet

See also

References
  1. "Mudeford Lifeboat Station – RNLI website". Home page of the Mudeford station. RNLI © 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  2. "Mudeford History". RNLI. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  3. Wake-Walker, Edward (2008). The Lifeboats Story. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. p. 113. ISBN 978-0-7509-4858-6.
  4. Denton, Tony (2009). Handbook 2009. Shrewsbury: Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. p. 67.
  5. "B-class Atlantic 85 Production List". List of the RNLI fleet of B-class Atlantic 85 ILB including B-806. All rights reserved © 2014 NavyNuts. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  6. Denton (2009), p.44
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