Lifeboat coverage in Cowes this weekend will, for the first time, be provided by the RNLI.
Lifeboat coverage in Cowes this weekend will, for the first time, be provided by the RNLI. For the past 19 years the station has been operated by the charity Cowes Inshore Lifeboat, one of about 30 independent (i.e. non-RNLI) lifeboat stations around the UK.
The RNLI took over management of the service on 1st July following a direct request from the trustees of the independent station. Tabbycat, an RNLI Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, has as a result replaced the former station boat, an 8.9m Barbarian RIB named Spirit of Cowes.
Michael Vlasto, Director of Operations for the RNLI, said, “We recognise the excellent work carried out by the dedicated volunteers who have operated the independent service from West Cowes for 19 years, and hope to develop the station even further now it has become part of the RNLI family.”
