Mudeford Lifeboat Station
Encyclopedia
Mudeford Lifeboat Station 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 inshore lifeboat (ILB).
, 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 boats was stationed at Mudeford in 1981, a new boathouse
being opened for it on 28 June.
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.
. 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.
winds (Force 5/6 at night) and can operate at up to 35 knots (68.6 km/h) for 2½ hours. Adjacent lifeboats are at Lymington Lifeboat Station to the east, and Poole Lifeboat Station
to the west. If a larger ALB is needed in the area it will come from Poole.
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts of Great Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, as well as on selected inland waterways....
(RNLI) search and rescue operations at Mudeford
Mudeford
Mudeford was originally a small fishing village in the borough of Christchurch, Dorset southern England, lying at the entrance to Christchurch Harbour. The River Mude and Bure Brook flow into the harbour there...
, Christchurch
Christchurch, Dorset
Christchurch is a borough and town in the county of Dorset on the south coast of England. The town adjoins Bournemouth in the west and the New Forest lies to the east. Historically in Hampshire, it joined Dorset with the reorganisation of local government in 1974 and is the most easterly borough in...
, Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
in England. The first lifeboat
Lifeboat (rescue)
A rescue lifeboat is a boat rescue craft which is used to attend a vessel in distress, or its survivors, to rescue crewmen and passengers. It can be hand pulled, sail powered or powered by an engine...
was stationed on Mudeford Quay 1963 and the present station was opened in 2003. It operates an inshore lifeboat (ILB).
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 HarbourChristchurch Harbour
Christchurch Harbour is a natural harbour in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England named after the nearby town of Christchurch.Two Rivers the Avon and the Stour flow into the Harbour at its northwest corner. The harbour is generally shallow and due to the tidal harmonics in the...
, 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 boats was stationed at Mudeford in 1981, a new boathouse
Boathouse
A boathouse is a building especially designed for the storage of boats, normally smaller craft for sports or leisure use. These are typically located on open water, such as on a river. Often the boats stored are rowing boats...
being opened for it on 28 June.
In 1988 the crew facilities were improved and the following year a new type of boat arrived. This was a B Class
Atlantic 21 class lifeboat
B class Atlantic 21 class lifeboats serve the shores of the UK as a part of the RNLI inshore fleet. The Atlantic 21 is the first generation Rigid Inflatable Boat , first developed at Atlantic College, Wales. The rollbar assembly installed above the engines contains a self righting bag which is...
rigid-hulled inflatable. In 2003 a new boathouse and crew facilities were opened on 25 October.
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 boathouseBoathouse
A boathouse is a building especially designed for the storage of boats, normally smaller craft for sports or leisure use. These are typically located on open water, such as on a river. Often the boats stored are rowing boats...
. 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 can go out in Force 6/7Beaufort scale
The Beaufort Scale is an empirical measure that relates wind speed to observed conditions at sea or on land. Its full name is the Beaufort Wind Force Scale.-History:...
winds (Force 5/6 at night) and can operate at up to 35 knots (68.6 km/h) for 2½ hours. Adjacent lifeboats are at Lymington Lifeboat Station to the east, and Poole Lifeboat Station
Poole Lifeboat Station
Poole Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution search and rescue operations at Poole, Dorset in England. The first lifeboat was stationed at Poole Harbour in 1865 and the present station was opened in 1988...
to the west. If a larger ALB is needed in the area it will come from Poole.