Cowes Inshore Lifeboat in Cowes, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom | Life Saving

Welcome to Cowes Inshore Lifeboat, United Kingdom. The only operational Lifeboat based at Cowes came into service under the direct control of H.M. Coastguard at Lee-On-Solent at Easter 1989 with just a hand full of crew as a full member of the Solent Sea-Rescue Organisation.

1st January 2002 saw the introduction of our third generation of Lifeboat to enter service at Cowes. It is a locally built and fitted out 8.9m Barbarian Class RIB powered now by 225hp Honda four-stroke outboard motors, costing in the region of £100,000. The boat called "Spirit of Cowes" is equipped with state of the art navigational aids and other specialist kit and carries a crew of 4.

Cowes Inshore Lifeboat provide this Independent Lifeboat Service all year round, 24 hours a day, financed by way of a small operational grant which the Isle of Wight Council contribute towards and by way of their own fundraising activities, any surpluses are carefully managed for future capital expenditure projects. Cowes Inshore Lifeboat do not receive any financial help from other lifesaving organisations. In addition to providing this vital emergency callout service the Lifeboat is on patrol most weekends for the safety of the Solent mariners and for continuous crew training. During Cowes Week and other major events at Cowes they provide continuous patrols and safety cover under the direct control of H.M. Coastguard.  As an Independent Lifeboat Organisation, it is essential we raise sufficient funds to enable them to run the Service. Additionally for the safety all the crew they also have to raise enough money for future capital costs to cover replacements such as the boat, engines and other vital equipment.

Funds are generated from two sources: Centrally funded by way of a small Grant from Hampshire County Council, who co- ordinate the collection of contributions from supporting Local Authorities, distributed through the Solent Sea-Rescue Organisation. The Isle of Wight Council kindly supports this fund and Cowes Inshore Lifeboats own fund raising events, including collections, sponsorships and corporate donations.