Southport Lifeboat will celebrate 2026 with the arrival of a brand new lifeboat.
The charity, which has a base on Marine Drive and is crewed entirely by volunteers, has signed a contract with Habbeke Shipyard in August for a new FRC 903 lifeboat.
It will replace the Heather White lifeboat, which has been operating for the past 18 years.
Southport Lifeboat volunteers have responded to over 30 emergencies off the Sefton coastline this year.
This year marks 100 years since the RNLI abandoned Southport with no lifeboat station operating locally until Kath Wilson founded Southport Offshore Rescue Trust in 1988.
Kath was the winner of the Grand Pride Of Sefton Main Award in 2023 and continues to lead the fundraising efforts of the charity.
A spokesperson for Southport Lifeboat said:
“As 2025 comes to an end, we want to thank you for your continued support during another busy year for Southport Lifeboat.
“We remain proud to be entirely volunteer-run, from our Trustee Directors and shop staff to our Search and Rescue team, who stay on call around the clock.
“This year we responded to more than 30 incidents, including several major multi agency operations. Every launch is made possible by your generosity.
“A standout callout was the rescue of Buddy the runaway reindeer in November. Our quad team ensured his safety, and the story quickly spread across national and international media, showcasing the professionalism and adaptability of our crew.
“Our Birkdale charity shop continues to provide vital income for us, we thank all the volunteers who help to keep it running smoothly.
“Lifeboat Lotto continues to thrive, with over 1,200 weekly players hoping to win up to £5,000.
“Hundreds of visitors attended our open days and guided tours, helping raise awareness of our independent service and the equipment your donations fund.
“We are also grateful to those who have left legacy gifts, which play an essential role in funding equipment, training and long term resilience.
“This year we added a new incident support vehicle to our fleet. Already used in several multi agency operations, it has proved invaluable for transporting our drone team, extra crew and equipment to incidents, as well as an incident commander for multi agency incidents. Our thanks go to all the companies involved in its conversion.
“In December we were saddened by the passing of former Trustee Director Dereck Hindle, whose early work on the new lifeboat station helped shape the facility we rely on today. We extend our condolences to his family and friends.
“This year marked 100 years since the RNLI withdrew from Southport in 1925. For more than six decades, there was no lifeboat stationed along the Sefton Coast until our community came together in response to a series of tragedies.
“In 1988, the Southport Offshore Rescue Trust was formed, restoring a lifeboat station to our dangerous stretch of coastline. Since then, our service has grown to what it is today.
“After 18 years of service, Heather White is nearing the end of her operational life. Following extensive trials, we signed a contract with Habbeke Shipyard in August for a new FRC 903 lifeboat, based on the Niklass class used by KNRM, DLGR and Dutch Caribbean SAR. We look forward to welcoming this next generation vessel to our station in late 2026.
“2025 has been a year of progress, resilience and community spirit. None of it would have been possible without our donors, volunteers and supporters. Your generosity keeps our lifesaving service running.
“As we look ahead to 2026, we remain committed to strengthening our operations and ensuring Southport continues to have a dedicated, reliable lifeboat service. Thank you for your ongoing support.”
It costs £60,000 to keep Southport Lifeboat functioning all year round. That is no mean task during ordinary times, let alone the extraordinary times we currently find ourselves in.
Southport Lifeboat is funded entirely through public donations, and is independent of the RNLI, which abandoned Southport many years ago.
There are other ways you can help the charity continue to save lives, including joining Lifeboat Lotto or online donations.
For more details about the emergency service, or if you would like to donate, please visit their website:
http://www.southport-lifeboat.co.uk/
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