Following the Naming Ceremony and Dedication of the new Lifeboat stationed at Lytham-St-Annes on the 14th April, s substantial contribution being donated by the Mark Province of West Lancashire and the Mark Benevolent Fund, I thought that a little background information on the work done by the RNLI at their headquarters in Poole, would be of interest. We stayed in the RNLI College, in room used to house lifeboat crew members who are attending courses at the centre. These rooms are well appointed and can be booked by the public if available, depending upon the number on courses. The general public can also attend the college for conducted tours of the facilities.

During our stay we booked the two tours the first one was in the “All-weather Lifeboat Centre” followed by the “College Discovery Tour”

The photograph is of the All-weather Lifeboat Centre, which is situated adjacent to the College. The building on the left is where the hulls and cockpits are formed and baked, in very large ovens, they are then moved down the shed to the paint shop. Each part of the process takes eight weeks, and they build between six to eight boats a year as well as refits and overhauls. The tour does not include this building, however the building on the right is where the fitting out is done. They only build one type of boat now, named the Shannon Class, the different classes of boat are denominated by the number on the hull 13 denotes the Shannon Class and the number after it is the number of the boat in the class. The photograph shows the inside of the fitting out shed, showing the hulls and cockpits, in various states of construction. The shed can take the biggest Lifeboat in service which is the Severn Class. All the equipment for the designated vessel is stored adjacent to the hull in bays to the right of the photograph. When the fitting out is complete
the vessel is moved through the large (blue) doors into the covered area between the two buildings., and the commissioning stage begins when it is in the water. After the sea trials the Coxswains who will skipper the boat come down to Poole and spend time at sea in their boat getting to know how she handles. Once everything has been fully tested and handed over the crews then sail the boat back to the station she has be allocated to.

Lifeboats are also de-commissioned here with all the equipment removed and then sold to other countries for their rescue services or for use as Pilot Boats etc. but not to individuals. They also overhaul the Hovercraft they have for operating on mud flats.

The College accommodation is housed in the second of the two buildings in the photograph on the left. The first building with the RNLI flag on it houses various classrooms and the “pool” this is where the rescue and survival training is undertaken, the pool area can be blacked out water sprays turned on and waves made they start by jumping off a 4m platform into the pool, and having had to do a similar training course whilst I was at sea I can empathise with those students doing the course, although mine was based on survival theirs is more rescue orientated.

The next part of the tour is the answer to all big boy’s toys. A Lifeboat simulator, you are in the cockpit with all the controls and they can programme it to go from a flat calm to a force eight in seconds, this being accompanied by all sorts of marine and air movements going on around you. The view through the cockpit windows gives the impression of movement and the scenario that we dealt with was coming out of Dover Harbour, with ferries coming from all directions, warships , container ships etc. etc.  Some people came out of the simulator feeling not too well although the floor that they were stood on didn’t move at all.

All the details of the accommodation, tours etc. can be obtained by visiting RNLI.org/College Tours or by telephoning 0300 300 7654 the address for anyone in the area on holiday for the Satnav.  West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ and remember every pound you spend at the RNLI helps save lives at sea.

Tour details: -
Booking is essential.
College Discovery Tours £7.50pp