WELCOME TO POOLE LIFEBOAT STATION WEBSITE
Poole Lifeboat Station is one of over 235 lifeboat stations around the coast of the UK, RoI, Isle of Man and Channel Islands. It is part of the RNLI and provides a search and rescue service for Poole Harbour and Poole Bay in Dorset.
We are one of the busiest lifeboat stations, with our volunteer lifeboat crews launching on average three times each week. In 2012, the lifeboats launched 109 times – the busiest station in the south west (2011: 140, 2010: 148, and in 2009: 200).
This website is maintained by lifeboat station personnel and volunteers and includes details of the lifeboats, recent launches, the crew, forthcoming events and station history. We hope you enjoy your visit!
In the event of an emergency on the coast,
dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Latest launches
Date: 24/5/13
Lifeboat: ILB
Casualty: Capsized dinghy
Location: West of Pottery Pier, Poole Harbour
Summary:
Following some 999 calls to Portland Coastguard, the ILB crew was paged to check out a capsized dinghy, with a broken mast, just west of Pottery Pier in Poole Harbour.
Just as the crew were getting kitted up the crew were stood down as a further report had come in that the dinghy had been spotted a day or so earlier in that position and that there was no one in trouble.
This call out will therefore not be counted in the number of launches for this year.
Date: 19/5/13
Lifeboat: ILB
Casualty: Reported sightings of flares
Location: Wareham Channel, Poole Harbour
Summary:
Poole's ILB launched at 2230 at the request of Portland Coastguard following the reported sighting of three red flares in the Wareham Channel area of Poole Harbour.
The ILB proceeded quickly to the area and carried out an extensive search; visibility was good as it was a clear night with a bright half moon. After covering the area thoroughly and not finding anything untoward, the ILB retured to station ready for service.
ILB helsman Dave Riley said that the incident was being treated as a false alarm with good intent.
Date: 11/5/13
Lifeboat: ALB and ILB
Casualty: 12m yacht
Location: 4.5 miles SW of Hengistbury Head
Summary:
Both lifeboats launched at 0755 following a report of a 12m yacht with engine and steering failure 4.5 miles SW of Hengistbury Head in Poole Bay.
The yacht was en route from Gosport to Plymouth with four people onboard when it suffered problems near Dolphin Bank, west of The Needles off the Isle of Wight.
Portland Coastguard requested that they put down their anchor to prevent them being pushed onto Dolphin or Shingle Bank in the force 5 winds and moderate to occasional rough swell of up to 2m.
The ILB arrived on scene first and put two crew members onboard the yacht – one to attempt to fix the steering and the other to help with the casualties who were all feeling ill and one was being seasick.
Once all the yacht's crew were on deck in the cockpit, to help reduce the sickness feeling caused by the rolling of the yacht, the crew then tried to recover the anchor.
More information and more photos. And video ...
If you want to be kept informed about our latest launches then check out the desktop pager.
News stories
Wedding bells in the offing for several Poole lifeboat crew
It seems that love is in the air at Poole Lifeboat Station as five crew members are taking the plunge into married life over the next year.
Over the last 2 months, two crew members have become Mr and Mrs (but not to each other!) and a third is due to get married in 2 weeks' time.
In March, Helmsman James Kilburn (aka JK) married his sweetheart Emma in a ceremony at Highcliffe Castle, followed by a reception at The Lord Bute. Although the 'weather was rubbish in the morning', says JK, there were smiles all round during the ceremony and drinks reception, with photos being taken on nearby Christchurch Beach.
JK is the first of the crew in the wedding line-up this year, so sorry girls, a few more eligible batchelors are about to be removed from the 'availability' list.
Then in April, new trainee Dave Bursey married Frances at St Mary's Church, Sixpenny Handley. And in May, Crew Member Rob Inett and Megan are due to get hitched at The Boathouse in Evesham, with the bride and groom leaving the wedding ceremony through traditional arched oars held aloft by fellow crew. Photos to follow.
Poole Lifeboat Station sends everyone all their very best wishes for a very happy life together.
Photo: Dave Riley. More photos...
Tribute to former Second Coxswain
It is with great sadness that Poole Lifeboat Station received news of the death of Bill Hayes, a former long-serving crew member, who died recently aged 92.
Affectionately known as Bill, Francis William George Hayes joined the crew in 1939 and served on the crew for 36 years until his retirement in 1975.
He served on six all-weather lifeboats – the Surf class lifeboat Thomas Kirk Wright from 1939–62 (which can still be seen in the Old Lifeboat Museum), the Liverpool class Bassett Green from 1962–69 and three relief Liverpool class lifeboats. He served as Second Coxswain from 1973–75 until his retirement just after the station received the Waveney class lifeboat.
During his time on the crew he served with four coxswains, including his father Frank Hayes, and was involved in many rescues. His brother Frank John Hayes was Mechanic and another brother was also a crew member.
Bill represented the RNLI and Poole Lifeboat Station at the VE Day Parade in London in May 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War.
Bill had been a Coxswain of Poole Pilot cutters and had served in the Merchant Navy in the Second World War. As well as being a lifeboat crew member, Bill was a full-time fisherman, and worked on the ferries on the quay until a few years ago.
His funeral will be on Tuesday 30 April at 2.15pm at the Ashley Road Methodist Church, Poole.
At this time our thoughts are very much with Bill's family and friends.
As a mark of respect, we will be lowering the RNLI flag on Tuesday at the station and at the Old Lifeboat station on the quay where he served.
Photo: Andrew Hawkes Archive
Forthcoming events
Every day in May – Rachel's enterprising fundraising (see below), RNLI College
Come and see her play every day at 7.30pm and also every Friday at 5pm.
Rachel's enterprising fundraising – throughout May
Thirteen-year-old Rachel Matthews will be participating in a Young Enterprise scheme in May to raise as much money as she can from a £10 start-up fund.
Raising money for Poole Lifeboat Station, Rachel has decided to use her musical talents to tinkle the ivories and perform in the Slipway cafe:bar at RNLI College every day during May.
Come and see her play every day at 7.30pm and also every Friday at 5pm.
Check out the video on YouTube as well, featuring her playing the piano alongside the RNLI's mascot Stormy Stan!
What a fantastic idea Rachel – well done and thank you for wanting to do this for Poole Lifeboat Station. We look forward to hearing you and coming along to support you.
Please come along and support her young enterprise.
If you're unable to make it, please donate at her JustGiving page.
OR ...
How about a Skype piano performance? Rachel will sell this to the highest bidder on eBay.
Now how's that for enterprising!
Check out other events coming up ...
Saturday 22 June – RNLI Summer Dinner Dance
Sunday 4 August – Poole Lifeboat Station Open Day
Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard
Check out our events, fundraising events, coastal safety events and local events for more details and other events in the area.
Fundraising news
Meet our fundraisers!
Have you ever thought about volunteering for the Poole branch of the RNLI, or would you like to know more about what motivates our volunteers and the roles they perform?
If so, then you might like to take a look at our volunteer case studies, based on conversations with some of our volunteers.
And if you think this could be you, then please visit the Volunteering section on our website.
Poole fundraisers' busy weekend continues in the Dolphin Centre – 14 April 2013
At the same time as Poole RNLI's fundraisers were over at the Cobbs Quay Open Day (see below), another group of volunteers spent the day in the Dolphin Shopping Centre collecting money from passing shoppers.
Dave Corke led the Cobbs Quay group, while Adene West-Webbe and Sarah King ran the collection in the Dolphin Centre, assisted by volunteers including Sol Pavasare (pictured left).
Take a look at our photo gallery for more fundraising photos.
