Bembridge RNLI construction moving forward

This means that the new lifeboat station presently being constructed at Bembridge is of some importance to many users of the Solent, especially since it will house the new Tamar class lifeboat when completed. However the development had to get over some planning hurdles first, and as part of the agreement the demolished materials from the old offshore section had to be taken away by barge to Portsmouth by the contractors, Bam Nuttall.

And ironically, it seems the plan’s biggest difficulty was the water closet (located in the main onshore section). The Isle of Wight council had a number of concerns regarding access and the provision of toilets, and only after revisions were they satisfied with the RNLI’s proposals.

The first part of the new RNLI lifeboat station to get underway is the over water, offshore lifeboat house and slipway which is connected to the second section (the land side facility) by a bridge. This construction is needed to get over the low gradient of the slope at the shoreline since all weather lifeboats tend to be hefty: the 16 m Tamars have a draft of 1.35 m and a weight of 31.5 tons.

Mr Ash says that all fifteen bridge units on the access walkway are in place, the handrail stanchions have been erected and the handrail and infill panels are approximately halfway completed. Further, the slipway (for launching the all-weather lifeboat) has now been constructed.

Substantial advances have now been made on the boathouse itself. The main frame and annex arches on the boathouse have been erected together with the posts and cross beam to the southern face. The maintenance walkway has been completed and scaffolding is being erected off this to provide a working platform for placing the structural decking and building works. A temporary working platform has been constructed over the slipway from which an eight tonne crane can operate.

The latest programme indicates a completion date towards the end of August 2010, subject to weather and any other unforeseen delays.

Due to the congested nature of the area around the inshore lifeboat boathouse and the fact that there is already one contractor on site, the RNLI has decided to wait until the main works are nearing completion before commencing the second part of the project.

The current total of the £1 million public appeal is standing at £441,923.01. You can find out more about the appeal by visiting www.rnli.org.uk/bembridgeappeal