# Mudeford Lifeboat Station

Mudeford Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Mudeford, Christchurch, Dorset in England. The first lifeboat was stationed on Mudeford Quay 1963 and the present station was opened in 2003. It operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat (ILB).

## History

During the 1960s the RNLI deployed inflatable ILBs at places around the coast where a quick response to increasing numbers of leisure boats and water users could not be made by larger all-weather lifeboats (ALBs) at stations established to serve commercial shipping. Mudeford Quay, at the entrance to Christchurch Harbour, was selected as a suitable place and a small inflatable boat provided. This type of boat could only operate in relatively good conditions and were seldom used in the winter. As their usefulness was proven, some stations received an 'intermediate' ILB which could operate in more severe conditions. As early as 1970, Mudeford was one of the stations used to trial a new Atlantic 21-class rigid-hulled inflatable lifeboat, B-500. Later, a C-class boat was stationed at Mudeford in 1981, a new boathouse being opened for it on 28 June.
In 1988 the crew facilities were improved, and Mudeford received a new type of boat, an Atlantic 21-class (B-529), 18 years after the class had first been trialed.
A new boathouse and crew facilities were opened on 25 October 2003.

## Description

The crew facilities are in a two-storey building. This is rendered and has a tile roof; large first floor windows at both ends give views across the water. Adjoining this and at right angles is the boathouse. This is built of timber with large windows along one side that allow visitors to see the lifeboat inside. The roof is metal with large skylights. The boat doors open onto a concrete platform and shallow slipway.

## Area of operation

The Atlantic 85 can go out in Force 6/7 winds (Force 5/6 at night) and can operate at up to 35 knots (65 km/h) for 2½ hours. Adjacent lifeboats are at Lymington Lifeboat Station to the east, and Poole Lifeboat Station to the west. If a larger ALB is needed in the area it will come from Swanage.

## Station honours

The following are awards made at Mudeford
* RNLI Silver Medal
       Mr Kenneth Derham - 1959
* The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum
       Ian Parker, Helmsman - 1995
       Stuart Ward, crew member -1995
       Toby Abbott, crew member - 1995
* Framed RNLI Letter of Commendation
       Mel Varvel, crew member - 2023

## Mudeford lifeboats

| At Mudeford | Op. No. | Name | Class | Model | Comments |
| 1963 | D-4 | — | D | RFD PB16 | |
| 1964 | D-7 | — | D | RFD PB16 | First stationed at West Mersea in 1963. |
| 1965 | D-11 | — | D | RFD PB16 | First stationed at Wells in 1963. |
| 1965–1967 | D-42 | — | D | RFD PB16 | |
| 1967 | D-21 | — | D | RFD PB16 | First stationed at Hastings in 1964. |
| 1967–1968 | D-156 | — | D | RFD PB16 | |
| 1969–1970 | D-76 | — | D | RFD PB16 | Initially deployed on board Clyde-class 70-001 in 1966. |
| 1970 | B-500 | — | B | Atlantic 21 | On trial. |
| 1970–1981 | D-190 | — | D | RFD PB16 | |
| 1981–1988 | C-507 | — | C | Zodiac Grand Raid Mk.IV | Initially number D-507. |
| 1988–1990 | B-529 | Alexander Duckham | B | Atlantic 21 | First stationed at West Mersea in 1976. |
| 1990–2006 | B-583 | Ken Derham | B | Atlantic 21 | |
| 2006–2024 | B-806 | Mudeford Servant (Civil Service No.48) | B | Atlantic 85 | |
| 2024– | B-948 | Henrietta H | B | Atlantic 85 | |