CLOse up Innovation stations Providing more than just a reassuring reminder of the RNLI’s presence, the charity’s 232 stations are as carefully designed as the lifeboats they house.

Elizabeth Paine finds out more When a volunteer is on deck, facing waves as high as a house, they have little thought for what awaits them onshore. Every ounce of energy is focused on the task in hand, every second accounted for. But eventually, hopefully, they will make it back safely; perhaps help to recover the lifeboat up a slipway or onto a carriage and into the boathouse.

Once all is made ready for action again, they can at last relax, have a warming cup of tea, a hot shower, a change of clothes; maybe sit and talk with the survivors and their relatives. They will know the station well, spending hours of their own time in training, in showing visitors around, or fundraising during an open day.

But what if the changing rooms never dry out, there’s no space to meet in except for the mechanic’s workshop, and valuable equipment gets damaged or even stolen because security is inadequate? Who would want to volunteer to risk their lives – and to change in the public toilets en route? Withstanding wind and wave The ‘fleet’ of stations owned by the RNLI must withstand the toughest of environments, often immersed in salt water and battered by the elements, while enabling efficient operation of the lifeboats that they house. However, they range in age from more than 100 years to 6 months, so their facilities, and state of health, vary considerably.

To deal with this, the RNLI must balance its duty of care to its volunteers and its purpose of saving lives with the wise use of hard-won funds. Thus, a rolling shoreworks plan identifies the stations most in need of updating operationally, addressing welfare and environmental factors too.

Lately, the introduction of the latest lifeboat designs (the Tamar class all-weather and Atlantic 85 inshore) has demanded modifications to, or even replacement of, many shore facilities. As a result of extraordinarily successful fundraising for the RNLI in 2006 (see page 7) the implementation of the shoreworks plan is now to be accelerated (see panel).

Experience and evolution The RNLI must consult widely to go ahead with a shoreworks project. The charity leads the field in working with local authorities and other organisations to ensure that the design, materials, construction process and lasting impact are sensitive to the local environment, using the best in modern architectural and engineering techniques. Padstow’s multi-awardwinning new station is a perfect example of function, form and process coming together successfully in a remote and rugged location. As it had to meet the minimum 50-year lifespan expected of all lifeboat stations, traditional materials combined with the latest civil engineering research were a sound investment.

This is no simple achievement, however. An example of the uphill struggle that can be faced in getting a new lifeboat station off the drawing board is in Lymington, Hampshire.

Solent saga The search for a new site for Lymington lifeboat station began 9 long years ago. In 2006, after much controversy, the new station finally opened – on the old site.

Initial hopes for the New Forest yacht-spot were to find a deep-water location so that a davit (crane) could be installed to ease launch and recovery.

The local Lifeboat Operations Manager Mike Webb, RNLI Estates Manager Howard Richings, the site’s architect and three successive lifeboat inspectors walked the entire town in their quest. The quay was too congested, particularly in Summer when tourists pack the picturesque waterfront. Across the river, hard by the Isle of Wight ferry dock, the train gate would have caused major hold-ups for the crew during emergencies.

Finally conceding that the existing site remained the best option, a larger footprint was agreed. A pontoon was proposed to alleviate territorial concerns from neighbours (frequent regattas make this a hectic frontage) but the Harbour Commissioners rejected this idea, so priority access to the area’s one slipway was delicately negotiated.

The RNLI was determined to find a solution that would not only suit its operational needs but also be sensitive to the location and the locals. Altogether, 28 different plans were drawn up before permission was finally granted.

Since five members of the crew of 1965 officially opened it, the new building has evolved into a focus for the community. The integral RNLI shop is booming and local clubs can hire any vacant meeting rooms. State-of-the-art training facilities were generously funded by local resident Rufus Eyre, and comprise a dedicated room with plasma screen, projector and laptop and a computer network throughout the building. A well-equipped workshop enables any maintenance issues to be dealt with promptly, and changing facilities are warm and comfortable.

The lifeboat itself (currently an Atlantic 75 but soon to be an 85) is now dry-housed, her carriage permanently hitched to her launching tractor. The old shed could not accommodate this arrangement and the coupling was dealt with in the open, at the time of launching. This time saving quickly proved its worth, as caught on film by BBC TV’s Seaside rescue, when a casualty was airlifted away only 18 minutes after the initial shout, almost certainly saving his life.

Lymington’s design is so successful that it is now considered a blueprint for future lifeboat stations – and there is now a waiting list to join the crew. ? MAjoR ShoREWoRkS coMPlETEd In 2006–7 Fraserburgh new D class boathouse and shore facility Clacton new B and D class boathouse Tower Lifeboat Pier on River Thames Lymington new B class boathouse Padstow new Tamar class boathouse and slipway Port Erin boathouse and slipway adaptation Saltash extension to divisional base Whitby boathouse substructure and new berth MAjoR ShoREWoRkS PlAnnEd foR 2007–11 Angle, Anstruther, Aran Islands, Baltimore, Barrow, Bembridge, Borth, Bridlington, Castletownbere, Cromer, Douglas, Dunbar, Enniskillen, Exmouth, Gravesend, Hayling Island, Howth, Hoylake, Islay, Kinsale, Llandudno, Moelfre, Morecambe, New Brighton, Portaferry, Porthdinllaen, Portrush, Sennen Cove, Shoreham Harbour, Southend-on-Sea, St Davids, St Helier, The Lizard, The Mumbles, Torbay, Weston-super-Mare, Wexford, Wick (‘Major’ is more than £250,000 cost) Salcombe correspondence RNLI supporter Richard J Garnett Harper had watched some RNLI shoreworks underway at Salcombe, Devon, in 2006 and wrote to query its cost-effectiveness: ‘My house overlooks the lifeboat mooring station, which was built in 2005.

Previously the lifeboat had to be moored out in the estuary. After what seemed a short time, the lifeboat was remoored in the estuary and the new, presumably costly mooring partly dismantled. It would be comforting to know that the cost of this mistake is not being borne by the Institution.’ RNLI Estates Manager Howard Richings replied: ‘We provided a new boathouse and slipway for the newly allocated inshore lifeboat and a new “alongside” berth for the existing all-weather lifeboat, to improve response time and safety. Finding this solution proved diffi cult due to the sensitive nature of the area and providing a berth and access channel of suffi cient depth.

‘However, we were less than satisfi ed with the new pontoon, in particular the performance of the paint system. But remedial work, in factory conditions, was done at the cost of the supplier and contractor. ‘We also took the opportunity to prepare the pontoon for new fendering to accommodate a possible future lifeboat that was not known of at the time of the original design. We brought this work forward while removal and transport costs were being borne by others.

‘Marine works are by their nature diffi cult and problems with corrosion common. It was essential that we obtained value for money from our contract and minimised the risk of future maintenance problems. The berth is now operational again (pictured).’ Mr Garnett Harper concluded: ‘Thank you for your comprehensive and helpful reply. It has given me the reassurance that my contribution to the RNLI, and that of others, is being spent wisely. The support that I and my family give to the volunteer crews will continue and our admiration of them is constant.’ testInG, testInG … For the RNLI, going ‘green’ is not about fl aunting ecoworthiness.

There are sound economic and common-sense principles behind the trial of the PowerEd, a combination mini wind turbine, solar panel and weather sensor freshly installed on the roof of the depot at Headquarters in Poole. In an experiment run in partnership with local Lytchett Minster school, the equipment is being assessed for possible use at RNLI lifeguard units. Often in remote spots, not connected to a conventional electrical supply, lifeguard units all need to run lighting, various appliances and communications equipment. Though probably too early to try out in the new lifeguard towers being installed this Summer (pictured), the thoroughly practical package could become the standard – and even pay for itself..