Hayling Island Lifeboat Station

Hayling Island Lifeboat Station is an RNLI station[1][2] located on Hayling Island close to the town of Mengham in the English county of Hampshire.[3] The station is located on the eastern side of Hayling island at the entrance to Chichester Harbour where it joins the major shipping route of the Solent, and is opposite the village of West Wittering. This major shipping route is busy at all times of the year and there are estimated to be 10,000[1] boats in the Chichester area alone. The Hayling Island station provides cover for the area 24 hours a day, all year, by means of two inshore rigid inflatable lifeboats placed on this station.[1]

Hayling Island Lifeboat Station
Hayling Island Lifeboat Station.
Location of Hayling Island Lifeboat station within Hampshire
General information
TypeRNLI Lifeboat Station
LocationHayling Island Lifeboat Station, Bracklesham Road, Hayling Island, PO11 9SJ
CountryEngland
Coordinates50°46′53.9″N 0°56′12.3″W
OwnerRoyal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

History

The RNLI first opened a lifeboat station on Hayling Island in 1865.[4] The station was opened after the Vicar of Hayling Island, the Rev. Charles Hardy, had written to the RNLI in London and to the local newspaper to voice his concerns over recent events and ship rescues which had occurred in the area. He highlighted two events which had occurred in 1862. The first involved a Portsmouth sloop called Cygnet which had run aground in a gale on 17 October 1862.[5] The crew of three had been clinging to the rigging with the waves washing over them. With very little equipment and a lot of courage, three local fishing men had managed to save the crew from the wrecked ship. For their efforts, the three rescuers, William Goldring, David Farmer and James Spragg were each awarded RNLI Silver Medals by the RNLI.[5] The second incident happened on 14 January 1865 when the schooner Ocean of Plymouth was blown on to the Woolsiner Sandbanks. The heavy seas soon swamped the vessel and two of her crew were swept away to their death. Eventually a ten oared cutter crewed by twelve fishermen with local knowledge managed to save three men from the stricken vessel. For his part in the rescue, Major Francis Festing,[6] a major in the Royal Marine Artillery who had been at the helm of the cutter throughout the rescue, was awarded a Silver Medal by the RNLI.

Establishing the station
The original boathouse is now unrecognisable as it has been incorporated into a structure now used as a public house and restaurant

Following the highlighting of the need for lifeboat cover along the coast of Hayling island, the RNLI decided to set up a station. The decision was made at an RNLI management committee meeting held on 2 February 1865. The following week the District Inspector visited the island and a decision was made on the location for the new boathouse. An order was also placed with Forrestt's yard[7] at Limehouse in London for the building of a new self-righting lifeboat for the station. The station was officially opened on 13 September 1865 with the naming of the new lifeboat called RNLB Olive Leaf, was blessed by the Bishop of Chichester Ashurst Gilbert.

Closure of the all-weather station
The second lifeboat house on Hayling Island, built in 1914 with doors at either end of the building. It closed when the Island's lifeboat service was closed in 1924. Today it is used by the Army Cadet Force

The lifeboat all-weather service at Hayling island operated for a total of 59 years until closure on 15 May 1924. During those years the station operated from two different locations on the islands, and had three pulling lifeboats. The first, Olive Leaf, was followed by Charlie and Adrian (ON 146), a self-righting lifeboat on station from 1888 until 1914. The last All Weather Lifeboat (AWL) was the Proctor (ON 640) which operated until 1924. The RNLI decided to close the station as the neighbouring stations at Selsey[8] to the south-east, and Bembridge[9] to the south west on the Isle of Wight, both operated more modern and faster motor lifeboats which, by the 1920s, were deemed to be more effective given the shipping patterns and the type of vessels now operating in the Solent.

The re-opening as an inshore lifeboat station

By the end of the 1950s the vast increase of pleasure craft and leisure activities saw a change in the pattern of casualties along the Hayling island coastline and in Chichester Harbour. An increasing number of services had been required to rescue bathers washed out to sea, people on lilos, dinghies, and various small water craft. It was realised locally that a faster first response was needed to attend such situations. In 1966, with this situation in mind, A local man along with his two sons, started a rescue service and patrol on the island. His name was Frank Martin and along with sons Guy and Leigh, used an old RNLI inflatable with the number 007 to patrol the coast. The fledgling service was run from a caravan located next to the coastguard station. A Land Rover was used to launch the boat and the lifeboat was powered with a 40 hp Evinrude outboard motor. Their tiny organisation became part of the Shore Boat Rescue Scheme which was a recognised scheme by the RNLI

1971

This independent service at Hayling island was formalised in 1971 and was called the Hayling Island Sea Rescue and Research Organisation (HISRrO).[10] This began regular patrols along the area's coast and inland estuaries. It also performed rescues and researched and perfected rescue procedures and methods for divers. In 1975 the HISRrO and the RNLI agreed to operate a joint service and in 1975 the partnership began operating from a new boathouse at Sandy point. The RNLI placed an Atlantic 21 Inshore Life Boat (ILB) on station. The two organisations worked alongside each other until 1978.

1978

In March 1978 the HISRrO and the RNLI agreed that they would agree to discontinue their joint association at Sandy Point and sole administration for the station and service was taken over by the RNLI. HISRrO continued to operate after the split but by August 1992 the charity was closed.[11]

Improvements

In 1980 launch facilities at the boathouse were improved with the installation of a launch ramp. In November 1980[12] the station also received a new Atlantic 21 inshore lifeboat which for the first to be specifically designed and built for the Hayling Island station.

Hovercraft trials

In June 2004 the RNLI sent a Hovercraft for trials at Hayling island. The Hovercraft was Hurley Spirit (H-005).

Re-building of station
The Hayling island boathouse at Sandy Point, built in 1994/95 to house both the Atlantic 75 ILB and inflatable D-class lifeboat. It was redeveloped in 2007. It replaced the boathouse built in 1974 to house the first ILB's on station

In the later part of 2006 work began on an extensive re-build and refurbishment of the station. This was required to house a new lifeboat, its A85 Do-Do launch carriage and launch tractor. The station remained open throughout the period of the rebuild and was housed in Shipping containers which were located temporally on the station car park. The new station was completed in November 2007 and included a new boat hall with an upper storey for the operations room and station office. Training and Education facilities were moved into what was the old boathouse which had been incorporated into the new buildings design. There was also changing rooms and a station museum included. The new station was paid for from legacies of £500,000 from the Lusty Family and £300,000 provided by Gwendoline Prince and Mr and Mrs Hudson.[12]

Boathouse Locations

1865 to 1914
First Boathouse location: 50°47′05.4″N 1°00′03.1″W

The first boathouse was built in 1865 by H.R. Trigg and was located at the western end of the south shore of the island. This house cost £259 10s 0d and was used until 1913. This original boathouse is still standing although it is now unrecognisable as it has been incorporated into a structure now used as a public house and restaurant.[13]

1914 to 1924
Second Boathouse location: 50°46′56.6″N 0°58′14.9″W

In 1914[12] a new lifeboat was allocated to Hayling. She was the Rubie self-righter Proctor (ON 640). To accommodate the new larger lifeboat a new boathouse was required. The new boathouse was built two miles to the east of the original boathouse and was designed with access doors at both ends of the building. This new boathouse cost £900.[12] This station closed in 1924 when the all-weather lifeboat cover was withdrawn from the island. The boathouse still stands on the seafront and has been used in the past as the village hall and today is used by the Army cadets.[14]

1971 to present

The current boathouse is located on the south-eastern tip of Hayling island on Sandy Point. The building was constructed in 1975 on land leased from the Coldeast and Tachbury Mount Croup Hospital Group. The current boathouse is the third location the station has used on Hayling island.

Station lifeboats
The Hayling Island inshore lifeboat Derrick Battle (B-829) just after launch during a lifeboat demonstration 3 km from West Wittering, West Sussex. The Lifeboat open day on 1 August 2009

The two current lifeboats are an Atlantic 85-class lifeboat and a D-class (IB1) lifeboat.[12] The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat is called Derrick Battle (B-829) and arrived on station on 26 February 2009. It is fitted with radar interlaced into the GPS system and VHF direction finding gear. The lifeboat is equipped with two 115 hp Yamaha outboard engines and has the capability of thirty five knots.[12] The second lifeboat is a smaller D-class inflatable lifeboat and is called Amanda, James and Ben (D-642).[15] It arrived on station in May 2005 and is an IB1 type boat powered by a 50 hp outboard engine giving her a top speed of twenty five knots.[12]

Fleet

All Weather Boats
Dates in service Class ON Op. No. Name
1865−1888 Self-Righter, Pulling Olive Leaf
1888−1914 Self-Righter, Pulling ON 146 Charlie and Adrian
1914−1924 Rubie Self-Righter, Pulling ON 640 Proctor

B-class Lifeboats
Dates in service Class Op. No. Name
1975–1980 Atlantic 21-class B-511 Co-Operative No. 1
1980−1994 Atlantic 21-class B-548 Aldershot
1994−1995 Atlantic 21-class B-541 Elizabeth Bestwick
1995−1995 Atlantic 21-class B-526 Un-named
1995−2009 Atlantic 75-class B-712 Betty Battle
2009−present Atlantic 85-class B-829 Derrick Battle

D-class Lifeboats
Dates in service Class Op. No. Name
1995–1996 D-class (EA16) D-398 Victory Wheelers
1996−2005 D-class (EA16) D-496 Leonard Stedman
2005−2015 D-class (IB1) D-642 Amanda James and Ben
2015−present D-class (IB1) D-779 Jacob

Awards

Since lifeboat services began, numerous RNLI medals and awards have been presented to Hayling Island lifeboat crew, including seven Silver Medals and three Bronze Medals[16] -

  • 1862 Silver Medals to William Goldring, James Spraggs and David Farmer for rescuing 3 crew from sloop Cygnet
  • 1865 Silver Medal to Maj F. W. Festing RMA for rescuing 3 crew from schooner Ocean
  • 1978 Framed Letter of Thanks to Helmsman Paddy Lamperd, Dr Richard Newman, Frank Dunster and Brian Quinton for rescuing 2 from cabin cruiser
  • 1981 Bronze Medal to Helmsman Frank Dunster, Thanks of the Institution on Vellum to Trevor Pearce and Nigel Roper and The Ralph Glister Award for rescuing 4 from yacht Fitz's Flyer
  • 1982 Silver Medal to Roderick James, Clasp to Bronze to Frank Dunster, Thanks of the Institution on Vellum to Graham Raines, Trevor Pearce and Nigel Roper and The Ralph Glister Award for rescuing a stranded boy
  • 1987 Thanks of the Institution on Vellum to David Sigournay in recognition of his seamanship
  • 1988 Framed Letters of Appreciation to Helmsmen Roderick James and Frank Dunster (Hayling Rescue - see note) for rescuing 9 from ketch Seaway Endeavour
  • 1989 Bronze Medal to Graham Raines, Thanks of the Institution on Vellum to Helmsman Frank Dunster and Roderick James, Ralph Glister Award and Walter Groombridge Award for rescuing crew of yacht Dingaling
  • 1993 Clasp to Silver Medal to Roderick James, Silver Medal to Frank Dunster (Hayling Rescue), Thanks of the Institution on Vellum to Christopher Reed, Warren Hayles, Evan Lamperd and Damien Taylor, Framed Letter of Thanks to Richard Mumford, Ralph Glister Award and Walter and Elizabeth Groombridge Award for rescuing 9 from yacht Donald Searle
  • 2001 Framed Letter of Thanks to Helmsman Graham Raines and Evan Lamperd, Letters of Appreciation to Darren Dancer and Ian Harris for a night rescue of 2 from a grounded RIB
  • 2003 RNLI Statuette to Nigel Roper, Lifeboat Operations Manager
  • 2004 Helmsman Graham Raines appointed MBE
  • 2007 Hayling Island Lifeboat Station awarded "Freedom of the Harbour" by Chichester Harbour Conservancy
  • 2007 RNLI Statuette to Peter Glasby, Chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group
  • 2007 Letter of Thanks to Helmsman Ian Fiddaman and a Collective Letter of Thanks to Peter Hanscombe, Bob Hoskins and Gemma McIntyre, for a November 2006 rescue
  • 2009 RNLI Statuette to Ron Caldicot, Deputy Launching Authority
  • 2010 Framed Letter of Thanks Helmsman Peter Hanscombe and Letter of Thanks to Jamie Stickler, Bob Hoskins and Jasper Graham-Jones for a March rescue
Note: Hayling Rescue is an independent service run by retired RNLI Helmsman Frank Dunster

References
  1. "Hayling Island Lifeboat Station". Hayling Lifeboats.org. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  2. "Hayling Island Lifeboat Station". RNLI. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  3. OS Explorer Map 120 – "Chichester, South Harting and Selsey". Southampton: Ordnance Survey. ISBN 978-0-319-24079-3.
  4. Leach, Nicholas (1999). "Hayling Island". Part 2, South Coast of England – Eastbourne to Weston-super-Mare. For Those In Peril – The Lifeboat Service of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, Station by Station. Kettering: Silver Link Publishing Ltd. pp. 76–77. ISBN 1-85794-129-2.
  5. Cox, Barry. "GOLDRING, William, FARMER, David, and SPRAGG, James". Lifeboat Gallantry – RNLI Medals and how they were won. Spink & Son Ltd./RNLI. p. 132. ISBN 0-907605-89-3.
  6. Cox, Barry. "FESTING, Francis Worgan, Major, Royal Marine Artillery". Lifeboat Gallantry – RNLI Medals and how they were won. Spink & Son Ltd./RNLI. p. 137. ISBN 0-907605-89-3.
  7. "Forrestt's Life-Boat Building Yard, Limehouse". Royal Museums Greenwich. 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  8. "Selsey Lifeboat Station". RNLI. 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  9. "Bembridge Lifeboat Station". RNLI. 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  10. "Hayling Island lifeboat station launches a book". The Hayling Site. OKO Digital. 10 May 2010. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  11. "Hayling Island Sea Rescue and Research Organisation – Removed charity". Charity Commission. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  12. Leach, Nicholas (2010). Hayling Island Lifeboats. Foxglove Media. ISBN 978-0-95136-569-4.
  13. "Inn on the Beach". innonthebeach.co.uk. 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  14. "Hampshire and Isle of Wight ACF". Army Cadet Force. 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  15. "D/IB1-class Production List (Up to D-599)". Navynuts.com. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  16. "Awards - Hayling Island Lifeboat Station". Hayling Lifeboats.org. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
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