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 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 B-Class rigid-hulled inflatable (B-529), 18 years after the first trials.

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	Comments
1963	D-4	Unnamed	D-class (RFD PB16)
1964	D-7	Unnamed	D-class (RFD PB16)
1965	D-11	Unnamed	D-class (RFD PB16)
1965–1967	D-42	Unnamed	D-class (RFD PB16)
1967	D-21	Unnamed	D-class (RFD PB16)
1968–1970	D-11	Unnamed	D-class (RFD PB16)
1970	B-500	Unnamed	B-class (Atlantic 21)	On trials
1970–1981	D-190	Unnamed	D-class (RFD PB16)
1981–1988	C-507	Unnamed	C-class Zodiac Grand Raid Mk.IV	Originally Op. No. D-507.
1988–1990	B-529	Alexander Duckham	B-class (Atlantic 21)
1990–2006	B-583	Ken Derham	B-class (Atlantic 21)
2006–	B-806	Mudeford Servant (Civil Service No.48)	B-class (Atlantic 85)

See also

• List of RNLI stations
• Royal National Lifeboat Institution
• Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats