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RNLI Launches First New Thames Lifeboat Base in 24 Years
By Drooid · · How we work
New Wandsworth Riverside Station Opens
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has opened a new lifeboat station on the River Thames, the first such addition in two decades. The Wandsworth Riverside facility replaces the RNLI’s former base in Chiswick and will serve as the operational hub for 66 volunteers and 10 permanent staff members.
Background: River Lifeboat Presence Since the Marchioness Disaster
The RNLI’s river stations were originally established after the Marchioness disaster in August 1989, when a collision between the pleasure boat *Marchioness* and the dredger *Bowbelle* near Southwark Bridge resulted in 51 deaths. One of the four stations created in the aftermath was located in Chiswick, which has now been superseded by the new Thames base.
Facilities and Staffing
The Wandsworth Riverside station includes modern launch equipment, a crew facility, and a control centre designed to improve response times. The RNLI notes that the combination of volunteer crews and a small core of permanent staff is intended to maintain a rapid, flexible service along the central stretch of the river.
Expected Impact on Emergency Response
According to the RNLI, the new location will enable crews to reach incidents more quickly, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful rescues. Early operations have already resulted in lives saved, illustrating the station’s contribution to river safety.
RNLI’s Official Position
The charity frames the opening as a continuation of its long-term commitment to river rescue, building on the legacy of the stations established after the 1989 tragedy.