RNLI Poole Lifeboat Station

02/09/2026

Celebrating 20 years this year is Oli Mallinson.

Joining Salcombe RNLI in 2006 Oli served on the Atlantic 75 and Tyne class all-weather lifeboat.

In 2008 Oli moved to Poole where he became an RNLI Lifeboat Trainer and subsequently transferred to Poole serving on the Atlantic 75, Atlantic 85 and Tyne class.

In 2016, Oli took a step back from active sea-going duties but took on the role of Launch Authority and in 2021 became Lifeboat Station Treasurer, a role he still holds today.

Across his sea going service Oli has launched 138 times on service calls, aided 254 people and helped save 6 lives.

Last weekend Oli also completed a gruelling 115km ultramarathon in aid of the RNLI – we’ll pop his just giving page in the comments below if you wish to donate and help save lives at sea.

Congratulations on your long service Oli.

31/08/2026

RNLI QUIZ NIGHT IS BACK!

📣 It’s the FIRST WEDNESDAY of the month coming up which can only mean one thing!
🎉 RNLI QUIZ TIME! 🎉
Join us for the Poole & District RNLI Fundraising Quiz & Raffle at:
🍻 The Shah of Persia
📅 Wednesday 2nd September
🕰️ 7pm for 7.30pm start - or why not come earlier for some delicious food

Get your team together, put your general knowledge to the test and enjoy a fun evening — all while helping raise vital funds for the RNLI! 🛟

🎁 RAFFLE DONATIONS WELCOME!
If you have any items that you could donate as raffle prizes, please bring them along on the night.

💙 Come along, have some fun and support your local RNLI fundraising team! 💙

31/08/2026

Poole Fundraising Branch Chairperson - Branch Chairperson (Poole Fundraising Branch Chairperson) | RNLI Volunteering

Could you be our new Lifeboat Fundraising Chair? 🚨

We’re looking for someone enthusiastic and welcoming to help lead and inspire our fantastic fundraising team.

You’ll help bring people together, welcome new supporters, organise fundraising activities and work towards raising vital funds to support the RNLI’s lifesaving work.

A great opportunity to meet new people, have fun and make a real difference.

Could you help lead our fundraising crew? We’d love to hear from you! 💙💛

You will enable volunteer RNLI lifeboat crews to save lives at sea by leading volunteers in vital fundraising activity in your local community.

29/08/2026

Poole lifeboat launched at 2.30pm (Friday August 28) to a report of an upturn dinghy, south of Poole Yacht, between Hamworthy Park and Brownsea Island.
Conditions were blustery, southwest 5 to 6.
The lifeboat arrived on scene and found the 12ft dinghy upturned with a broken boom and one person alongside in the water.
The lifeboat crew checked the person was okay and then he was transferred onto the lifeboat, the crew tried to right the dinghy but with the conditions this proved difficult. The vessel was put along the lifeboat and bought slowly back to shore to Poole yacht club.
As all was safe and well, the lifeboat returned back to station and made ready for service by 4pm
This was the 94th call out for the volunteers at Poole Lifeboat station.

28/08/2026

A milestone for Em
Tier 1 Atlantic Crew Pass Out — TICK! ✅

The Atlantic was out last night for training before being tasked to a Personal Locator Beacon activation in Studland Bay — and there was another important job taking place on board.

Em was being assessed for her Tier 1 Crew Pass Out!

The assessment covers both theory and practical skills, ensuring crew are competent and confident across all aspects of operating our inshore lifeboat — from launching, anchoring, veering, berthing and mooring, to lookout duties, locating and assisting casualties, and operating the VHF radio.

And Em smashed it! 💪👏

Well done, Em — Tier 1 crew achieved! 🎉

Pictured
Anna, Em, Steve and Tom

27/08/2026

Poole lifeboat was requested to launch by HM Coastguard at 4.50pm (Aug 27) after receiving a Mayday call from a grounded vessel after hitting a mooring buoy in Holes Bay.

As the lifeboat arrived on scene, the rescue helicopter was hovering near by and reported sight of two people in a small tender paddling.

The lifeboat soon identified the yacht but was unable to proceed to the tender due to the shallows where the occupants were attempting to paddle.

The lifeboat then saw one person enter the water and requested the launch of the smaller D class lifeboat with the shallower draft.

As the D class approached the scene, the tender and occupants had been blown onto the rocky shoreline.

Coastguard units on shore and the D class inshore lifeboat crew then checked all people over and no further medical assistance was required.

Meanwhile, to stop the yacht becoming a danger to navigation once the tide started to rise, a line was attached to a mooring buoy close by and attached to the yacht.

With all people safely accounted for and the yacht secure both lifeboats were stood down.

This was launch 91 & 92.

The Atlantic later launch for training at 6:15pm and was subsequently tasked to a personal locator beacon being activated in Studland Bay.

After a short search, it was soon identified this was a mistaken activation and the lifeboat continued with routine training.

This was launch 93.

27/08/2026

❤️ A Very Special Thank You to Mike & Clare

Our LOM’s ( Lifeboat Operations Manager’s) Matt and Helen, were delighted to present a very special Supporter Certificate of Thanks, signed by the RNLI Chief Executive, Peter Sparkes, to Mike and Clare Bennett from The Fisherman Cafe and Poole Sea Angling.

Mike and Clare are truly remarkable people with huge hearts, and Poole Lifeboat Station is incredibly lucky to have them as friends and supporters.
Through the Fisherman's Café and Poole Sea Angling, they champion the RNLI and sea safety all year round, displaying RNLI campaigns and supporting our fundraising.

Their customers generously donate hundreds of pounds each year through the Aunt Betty pots and contactless donation point.

Mike has hosted lifeboat clinics at the Poole Sea Angling Centre and they both support our annual RNLI Flounder Fishing Competition.

On our Open Day, they close the café and generously run the food stall at the station — making sure our visitors, volunteers and crew are all well fed!

But it's the many little acts of kindness they show to our crew and our wider lifeboat family that really make them special. ❤️
They are very much part of our station family, and their kindness, generosity and support mean so much to us.
Mike and Clare are outstanding advocates for the RNLI and sea safety, and we are incredibly fortunate to have them as our friends.
Thank you both for everything you do. We really couldn't ask for better supporters.
And, of course,
☕🥓 They also do the best breakfasts in town! ❤️
They know all what the crew want before they even sit down and it’s the best way to start a training exercise, meet at the cafe for a pre-exercise briefing with a squeaky deck hand!

27/08/2026

❤️ Another Special Moment at Our Open Day

There was another very special moment at last Sunday, when Mike and Carol Fox, long-standing stalwarts of our Water Safety Team, were presented with their 20-year RNLI service medals.

The medals were presented by the Deputy Mayor of Poole, Councillor Steve Hayes, who attended our Open Day alongside fellow Town Councillor for Hamworthy, Mark White.

Our Water Safety Team led by Chris Holloway is an integral part of the station, carrying out the important work of educating and informing the public about the potential hazards of the sea and, most importantly, how to stay safe while enjoying be out and about near the coast or on the water.

For 20 years, Mike and Carol have dedicated their time to promoting the vital safety messages. Their work has undoubtedly helped people make safer choices and, ultimately, helped save lives.
From highlighting the importance of wearing a lifejacket and having a reliable means of calling for help, to encouraging people not to take unnecessary risks on or around the water, their knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment have made a real difference.

Everyone at Poole Lifeboat Station would like to say a huge thank you to Mike and Carol for their time, dedication and continued commitment to keeping people safe.

Your contribution over the past 20 years has been invaluable.
Congratulations on your very well-deserved medals, Mike and Carol!

25/08/2026

💙 Thank You Tuesday! 💙

A huge thank you to our fantastic Visits Team volunteers, who were our meet-and-greet crew for the Open day.
You welcomed 357 visitors through the boathouse , showing them around and answered the many questions that came your way — sharing your knowledge, stories and enthusiasm with everyone who came through the doors.

You also kept the gangways clear and helped make sure everything ran smoothly as the crew launched for the demonstrations. 🚤

Thank you, guys and girls. We really are incredibly lucky to have you. Your knowledge, enthusiasm and willingness to give your time make such a difference, and we know our visitors really appreciate it too.

If you missed a visit on the day and it’s something you might like to do, don’t worry — you can always arrange a visit to the lifeboat station at another time.

Just contact our Visits Team at [email protected] and they’ll be happy to help arrange a visit.

We’d love to welcome you! 💙🚤

25/08/2026

💙 Thank You Tuesday! 💙

Today we’re saying a huge thank you to the wonderful folk who kept us sustained, hydrated and very well looked after throughout Open day!

🍦 Di from the ice cream van – keeping everyone cool
☕ Golden Gate Coffee – keeping the caffeine flowing!
🐟 The amazing Mike and Clare our Poole lifeboat catering crew from The Fisherman Cafe providing much-needed refreshments and keeping everyone going.

Our Lizz, who made the delicious volunteer pack up lunches.

🫖 And our absolute dynamo, Nora, who spent the day making tea for all the volunteers running the stalls. It was very much appreciated, especially in the heat!

It takes a lot of people behind the scenes to keep an event running, and we’re incredibly grateful to each and every one of you for helping to keep everyone fuelled, refreshed and smiling.