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Poole lifeboat station received an early Christmas present with
the delivery of its new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat on 4 December
2008.
The sleek new craft replaced Friendly Forester II, which
had been on service at Poole since April 1995 and was often the
busiest inshore lifeboat in the country.
During its prestigious 13-year service, Friendly Forester II and
her crew saved the lives of 95 people, rescued more than 1,000 people
and recovered vessels worth more than £3.5M.
The new Atlantic 85 boat – to be named Sgt Bob Martin
later this year – is capable of reaching speeds of 35 knots
and will be able to reach the entrance of the harbour in around
3 minutes. It carries the latest technology onboard, with radar,
electronic navigation, GPS and night vision equipment. It is also
capable of being beached in an emergency without damage to the boat.
The inshore lifeboat crew received intensive training to learn
about the technicalities of the new boat before the lifeboat was
placed on service.
The first ‘official’ shout for the lifeboat took place
on 8 December to a yacht aground on the training bank. Its first
‘unofficial’ shout took place on its way to Poole on
14 November to a report of a dog strapped to a surfboard!
View further pictures of the Atlantic 85 here.
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