The Teddington station will be run by volunteers. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will co-ordinate the rescue operation from a Port of London Authority operations room at the Thames Barrier.

The RNLI was approached by the MCA to provide the service in the wake of the findings of the much delayed Thames Safety Inquiries into the 1989 collision between the pleasure cruiser Marchioness and the dredger Bowbelle, which saw 51 passengers on the former vessel lose their lives. Relatives of Marchioness victims in attendance at the launch welcomed the arrival of the service but criticised the 12 year delay in introducing it.

The boats being used on the Thames are E class Tiger Marine fast response craft capable of 40 knots, with a standard D class inshore boat being used at Teddington.

Four special rescue rafts are also now in place along the Thames. The rafts, along with their protective containers, are capable of being towed at high speed and can each carry up to 60 people.

The service got to work even before its official launch by transport minister John Spellar, rescuing a reveller from under Westminster Bridge on New Year's Day.

MJ Information No: 16602