From The Bristol Evening Post 13th November 2002
Portishead is to get a new inshore lifeboat after an anonymous
donor gave £33,000.
The crew has ordered a new £41,000 rescue boat to deal with a
rapidly rising number of callouts in the Bristol Channel.
The service, which was launched at its headquarters at Sugar Loaf
Beach in 1995, is on emergency standby around the clock, every
day of the year.
The highest number of rescues in a 12-month period was 15 in 2001,
but there have been so many call-outs so far this year that the
record has more than doubled to 34.
The reason is attributed to the vast increase in the number of
boat owners using the channel after the opening of the
multi-million pound Portishead Marina and the Cardiff Bay barrage.
Portishead lifeboat coxswain David Herbert said: "We have
decided that a new boat with more modern equipment on board
is now needed to deal with the rising number of rescues.
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"The 22ft-long rigid inflatable is similar to our existing
craft but it will be quicker, have up to date electronics
including a satellite navigation system and improved two-way
radio helmets for the crew.
"A Portishead woman has kindly donated £33,000 towards the
cost and has asked to remain anonymous, but we are hoping
she will eventually allow us to name the new boat after her.
"The remaining £8,000 for the sophisticated equipment has come
from local organisations and individuals.
"The boat is currently being built by a Yeovil company and
hopefully will go into service early next year.
"The old boat will be then be sold, possibly to another
rescue organisation."
Mr Herbert revealed that the lifeboat has been launched a
total of 104 times since the Portishead Lifeboat Trust was
formed seven years ago.
He said: "The cost of operating the service has risen to
£22,000 a year which is raised by local donations and we
can't thank those involved enough for their help.
"We are also currently training six new crewmen."
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