Poole RNLI station busiest in the region (From Thisisdorset)

Poole RNLI station busiest in the region

8:00am Friday 10th February 2012 in Latest By James Durkin

VOLUNTEER lifeboatmen at Poole’s RNLI station notched-up more than 2,500 operational sea hours during 2011, the latest figures show.

Reflecting on the past year, which saw Poole recorded as the busiest lifeboat station in the south west, coxswain Jonathan Clark gave the Daily Echo an insight into what being an RNLI volunteer lifeboatman is all about.

“We have a solid crew here at Poole and are never short of volunteers wanting to join,” he said.

“This means we can man the lifeboats and launch, on average, in six minutes, proficient volunteers dedicated to helping others when we need to – and that is night or day.”

The nationwide RNLI statistics, released on Tuesday, showed August remained the region’s busiest month and that south west lifeboat crews rescued 1,571 people all year.

Meanwhile, at Poole – where lifeboats were launched 140 times in 2011 – Mr Clark explained how it feels when the pagers go off.

“You get kitted up, engines start and you know that there is someone out there that needs your help.

“Your instincts kick in, its second nature, however insignificant or major the incident.

“No shout is the same - some are easy and some are scary.

“The straightforward ones? Some people may think what a waste of our time, but if we did not go then it could escalate into something a whole lot worse.

“We are happy to go and help, we never condone or judge because it could happen to any of us – our commitment is to save lives at sea.”

As for Poole lifeboat station’s future? Mr Clarke says this remains uncertain until the outcome of the RNLI coastal review.

“It will be a very sad day for Poole if the all-weather lifeboat is taken away from the busiest coastal station,” he said.

“But until this decision is made, we will continue to be there for whoever needs us and utilise the equipment we are given – our crew are prepared for anything.”