RNLI Calshot Lifeboat

01/06/2026

Although there wasn't enough tide for us to help from the water on this occasion, we could help in other ways when this multi-agency event unfolded recently.

RNLI Calshot was recently asked to provide access to our lifeboat station for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to provide casualty care to a group of five paddleboarders who had got stuck in the mud within the lagoon.

Fire crews from Hardley and Redbridge were supported by the water rescue team from Fareham, alongside CRT Teams from Hill Head Coastguard Rescue Team and Lymington, who all succesfully brought the stranded paddleboarders back to shore.

Don't forget, if you're planning on going out on the water this weekend around Calshot, or anywhere along the coast for that matter, make sure you know the tide times and how to stay safe around mud.

📸 HIWFRS

22/05/2026

We had another great training evening on Wednesday, as we hosted the New Forest Kayak and Canoe Club once again for our annual joint exercise.

The training exercise started once we received an ‘emergency call’ from one of the kayakers saying that they were part of a larger group afloat near Calshot and a couple of the group had sustained injuries, therefore requiring urgent and immediate assistance.

To make it as realistic as possible, none of the lifeboat crew (bar the organising team) were briefed on the exact nature of the evenings scenario beforehand and therefore needed to gather as much detail as they could from the call, prior to launching.

Once details were taken and enough information gathered for the helms to brief the crew on an initial plan, both our lifeboats were launched - first up the D Class ILB ‘David Radcliffe’, swiftly followed by our Atlantic 85 ILB ‘Max Walls’.

As both lifeboats made their way around Calshot Spit, two groups of kayakers were quickly spotted adrift, just off the spit. Quickly triaging the various nature of injuries amongst the group, from possible hypothermia, unconscious kayaker to heart complaints (with some award-winning acting taking place by the kayakers we must say!), our volunteer crews across both lifeboats quickly got to work on casualty care.

As the ‘casualties’ were swiftly brought back to shore, our lifeboat crew were aided by the waiting shore crew to help with the ongoing ‘medical care’ as the exercise continued to play out.

With all the kayak ‘casualties’ accounted for and handed over to a fictitious ambulance for the training scenario, the exercise was ended and everyone could finally relax and have a breather!

For all parties involved - both our volunteer crew and the kayak club members - it was an invaluable training session with lots of lessons learnt and tips and tricks shared between both groups.

As always, a big thanks to the kayakers for their time and involvement and to those who helped organise the evening from our side, we look forward to next one! 🛶🛟🌊

19/05/2026

This advice is useful to everyone, however you use the water.

It has helped save the lives of people in all sorts of situations. From children in rip currents to runners falling into canals, from people swept out by waves, to fisherman falling overboard.

Would you know what to do if you got into difficulty in the water?

Float by following these five simple steps below, as part of the RNLI Float To Live campaign – it could save your life!

18/05/2026

Come and join us!
You don’t have to go on the water to be part of our lifesaving team! We’ve got lots of shore based roles, some of which are still available to apply for. Check out the links in the original post to find out more info and how to apply.

If you’ve got a few hours to spare each month, there might be a role just for you!

🛟 WE’RE RECRUITING! 🛟

Want to make a real difference and help save lives at sea?
Calshot RNLI Lifeboat Station is recruiting for a number of volunteer roles to join our lifesaving team.

We’re recruiting for the following roles:
🛟 Lifeboat Operations Manager
🛟 Station Treasurer
🛟 Lifeboats Visits Officer

🛟 LIFEBOAT OPERATIONS MANAGER (LOM)
This role will help us save lives at sea by carrying out the day-to-day management of the lifeboat station to ensure a permanent state of readiness for service.
* Provide leadership of the operations team
* Manage the volunteers at the lifeboat station
* Ensure that all operational activities are carried out to maintain the lifeboats and all associated equipment in a constant state of readiness for launching on service
* Represent the lifeboat station within the local community
* This role has a tenure of 3 years which can be extended to a maximum of 9 years

For further information and how to apply for this role, please visit:
https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/lifeboat-operations-manager---calshot-609589.html

🛟 STATION TREASURER
This role will help us save lives at sea by ensuring that the financial activity of the station is conducted in accordance with RNLI regulations.
* Administer the RNLI station bank account
* Ensure all sums donated to the lifeboat station are immediately credited to it, are properly acknowledged and are recorded on the monthly returns
* Ensure that the annual statement of account is prepared, approved, signed and returned to RNLI Support Centre, Poole, on time

For further information and how to apply for this role, please visit:
https://volunteering.rnli.org/vacancy/station-treasurer---calshot-608884.html

🛟 LIFEBOAT VISITS OFFICER
You will promote the work of the lifeboat station to the local community and visitors, help raise vital funds and save lives at sea by sharing key water safety messages.
* Encourage local schools, youth and adult organisations to visit the lifeboat station.
* Welcome visitors to the station, so that they can learn about the local lifeboat and the wider RNLI.
* Championing the RNLI and building its reputation in the area.
* Liaise with operational volunteers at the station to ensure visits run in a safe and smooth manner alongside operational activities.

For further information and how to apply for this role, please visit:
https://volunteer.rnli.org/opportunities/108685-lifeboat-visits-officer-calshot-lifeboat-station-visits-officer-2026-02-23?cookieconsent=set

Join a team like no other. Whatever your
background, launch yourself into a new
challenge at Calshot Lifeboat Station today.
Volunteer, and you could be a lifesaver too.

15/05/2026

Following our post yesterday about the Emergency Services Day next weekend, it seems rather timely to congratulate our own Andy Headley for recently receiving the ‘Fawleys Finest’ award!

Andy, a volunteer with RNLI Calshot for the past 15years, alongside his day job as a paramedic within the local area, he has been recognised for his services to the community of Fawley and in particular for his organisation of the hugely successful Emergency Services Day event, now in its 5th year!
The award was presented to Andy by the Chair of Fawley Parish Council.

Congratulations to Andy, a well deserved recipient! 👏

14/05/2026

🛟 Emergency Services Day @ Gang Warily 🛟
We'll be there, will you?!

If you're already looking ahead at things to do for next weekend, then look no further than the Emergency Services Day being held at Gang Warily Rec on Saturday 23rd May.

As always, this day proves to be an incredible hit with all the family, with so many emergency services on display and taking part in demonstrations throughout the day.

Come down and check out our stall, have a friendly chat with our crew and fundraisers, take part in some throw line demo's and we'll also have the RNLI Water Safety Team join us too. Stormy Stan will also be trying to retain his mascot winners trophy from last year too!

It'll be a great day and we look forward to seeing you all there 😊

📍 Gang Warily Rec Centre, Newlands Road, Fawley, SO45 1GA
📅 Saturday 23rd May
⏰ 10am - 4pm

10/05/2026

Good luck to all those taking part in the Lymington 10k today, including a few of our very own crew!

Did you know, this is the 22nd year the 10k race has been run, congratulations RNLI Lymington Lifeboat !

09/05/2026

This morning (Saturday 9th May) at 06:17hrs, our volunteer crew were paged by HM Coastguard, alongside RNLI crews from Cowes and Portsmouth, as well as other SAR agencies, to assist in the search for a missing person.

The crews were afloat for 6hours, so a huge effort by all involved and big thanks are due to crew both afloat and ashore.

This is shout number 18 of the year so far.

05/05/2026

🛟 Why do we call a tasking a ‘shout?’ 🛟

Have you ever wondered why we call an incident tasking by the Coastguard a ‘Shout’? Well, it’s a term RNLI lifeboat crews have used for generations!

In days long before pagers and VHF radios, local lifeboat crew would literally be shouted to launch if someone was in danger at sea. Sometimes a bell would ring or maroon flares would be sent up too.

Now, we use pagers, with crews being tasked by the coastguard electronically, but the term ‘shout’ still remains.

Did you know, we’re on ‘shout’ number 17 for the year so far here at Calshot.

☎️ Remember, if you or anyone you notice, is in difficultly in the sea or at the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard - or via VHF channel 16 if afloat. ☎️

01/05/2026

There was a stunning sunset to the greet our volunteer crew who were out training on Wednesday evening 🌅

Although the sea conditions were pretty lumpy, with a flooding tide and strong winds to challenge the crew through various boat-handling and navigation scenarios, the sunset over the Solent was perfect!