Independent lifeboats 'struggling' without funding

The National Independent Lifeboat Association said 30% of the coast was covered by independent lifeboats

Independent lifeboats desperately need funding to keep their equipment and boats in good working order, an MP has said.

Paul Holmes, the MP for Hamble Valley in Hampshire, asked the government to reinstate a rescue boat fund to help "struggling" lifeboat stations.

According to the National Independent Lifeboat Association (NILA) 30% of the coast is covered by independent lifeboats.

Transport minister Lilian Greenwood said the government did not have any plans to reintroduce the fund, but regularly made new grants available to charities.

The rescue boat fund was available to independent lifeboats between 2015 and 2020.

Conservative Mr Holmes assisted with the setting up of the NILA, which represents about 80 lifeboats around the UK.

He told the BBC after the Westminster Hall debate that funds were needed to maintain and refurbish ageing boats.

He said: "After the last government abolished that fund - and I think that was a ridiculous thing to do - a lot of our independent lifeboats don't have the funding that they need to keep that equipment going.

"It's only volunteers that keep our independent lifeboats going. If there isn't a sustainable funding model that they can access, then there'll be great patches of coastline in our country that are not protected by lifeboats."

He called them "vitally important but not really as recognised" as the RNLI, the largest lifeboat charity, and lacking resources by comparison.

'Life-changing'

Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport, highlighted the work of the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS).

It has featured in a Channel 5 documentary and relies on fundraising efforts from the local community.

She said: "There is a strong argument for doing this - to reinstate [the fund] in recognition of the vital work rescue boats do and the lives they save.

"The work GAFIRS does is literally life-changing; like many other organisations around the UK, its work is fundamental."

In her response Ms Greenwood said: "While the department does not currently have any plans to reintroduce the rescue boat grant fund, the government regularly make new grants available to charities, and the process of identifying suitable opportunities, checking eligibility and making applications has been simplified through a single online portal.

"His Majesty's Coastguard provides guidance and support to all its declared independent lifeboats through its local management teams and declared facility officers."