The RNLI put on a demonstration at Southwold durng Lifeboat Day to show the public the work they do out to sea. The Southwold Lifeboat the Leslie Tranmer (foreground) and the The Spirit of Lowestoft.

Southwold lifeboat crew to move back to permanent base

Wednesday, September 26, 2012
10:37 AM

A lifeboat crew are looking forward to moving back into a permanent base on the Suffolk coast after eight months in temporary accommodation.

RNLI Southwold Lifeboat Station has been operating from a temporary site while work has been carried out to the harbour wall.

It is hoped that most equipment will be moved a quarter mile back down Ferry Road tomorrow (Thursday September 27), with essential kit, including the lifeboat itself, making the journey on Friday.

Last summer, Waveney District Council backed a £3.2m regeneration scheme to boost fishing facilities in Southwold and carry out vital repairs to the North Dock Wall.

The project was delayed by setbacks but the lifeboat crew have now been cleared to move back.

Operations manager, John Huggins said the crew were “delighted” to be returning to a permanent base after eight months of working from a temporary lifeboat station with three storage containers for the lifeboat, tractor and protective equipment, and a temporary slipway.

The district council set aside £2m and successfully secured a further £1.22m from the EU European Fisheries Fund (EU EFF) to fund the regeneration scheme.

The scheme also includes the re-positioning of the RNLI crew’s winch and davit, which is used for launching the inshore lifeboat.