Freshwater Bay Independent Lifeboat Station
Freshwater Lifeboat Station, on Gate Lane at Freshwater Bay at the western end of the Isle of Wight, is an independent lifeboat run by a local charity rather than the RNLI. Its volunteer crews are on call to the Coastguard day and night, all year, covering the sea up to thirty miles offshore between Hurst Point and St Catherine’s Point.
History
The station was founded in 1972 by local people concerned about accidents along the island’s south-west coast, where cliffs, ledges and strong tides catch out swimmers, walkers and small boats. It has been funded entirely by donations ever since. The service operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, The Jillian Scott: Spirit of the West Wight V, and a smaller D-class inshore lifeboat.
Visiting
Freshwater Bay is a small cove beneath the chalk downs, with cafés and the start of the walk over Tennyson Down to the Needles. The lifeboat station welcomes visitors at its open days and fundraising events.
About island lifeboat stations
All lifeboat stations →On islands, the lifeboat is often the only help that can reach someone in trouble at sea, and island lifeboat crews cover some of the most exposed waters around Britain and Ireland. Here you will find the lifeboat stations on the islands we cover, with their history and the boats they launch.
