Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat (PLIRB) is an independent lifeboat service operating from Pett Level. We cover the coastline and inland waters between Hastings and Camber, flanked by two RNLI stations. PLIRB provides the same vital service to Save Lives at Sea but do so without any centralised funding.
Our operating costs now exceed £18,000 a year – just to keep going (and we are legally required to keep three years in reserve). All our volunteers get involved in raising funds, we don’t have the luxury of a fundraising team!
Every volunteer also trains every week to learn skills and secure professional qualifications. We are on call 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. We regularly train with HM Coastguard and Rother Responders.
It has been a wonderfully busy and positive few months for PLIRB. Here are a few highlights!
PLIRB’s future
We are so thrilled that planning to develop our boathouse was approved and we have raised the funds to proceed. This means we can make essential improvements to extend our boathouse to provide enhanced flexibility, operating conditions and future-proof our service.
We are about to embark on the tender process to commence the work and want to keep it local. Contact us if you have an interest in submitting a proposal.
Taskings on service
It’s been a busy few months being tasked on service by UK Coastguard. Our volunteer crew have extracted multiple casualties cut off and lost under the cliffs at Fairlight, towed stricken vessels to safe harbour, rescued casualties stuck in deep mud, been involved in numerous searches for missing persons and delivered vital first aid.
We are here to train and serve. We have never not responded to a shout.
Fundraising
We have been blessed with wonderfully generous responses to recent appeals – every kind offer alleviates our financial pressure.
- Drysuits: Protective clothing is essential for our crew. We appealed for support to buy new drysuits when we had to dispose of suits no longer fit for purpose. The response was amazing and we received donations from Fairlight Residents Association and others to allow us to purchase new drysuits.
- Freezer: We put a shout out for a small second-hand freezer to help store food for our many barbeques and were delighted to receive a brand new one from a local supporter.
- Crew suit booths: The ply wood dividers between our crew drysuit booths was rotting and in need of replacement – we asked the community and a generous supporter paid for the ply to replace. We have received other offers to purchase other items to complete the fitting.
The big bike ride challenge
We were approached by a local supporter, Tony Fuller, who wanted to raise funds for us. He offered to complete a bike ride challenge of 247 miles during August – with 247 being in recognition of our round-the-clock service. Tony raised over £800 which completed the funds needed to purchase drysuits. A huge thank you to Tony.
Open Day
Our annual Open Day is our biggest fundraising event. For a small operation we put on a great day! Music, food, drinks, games and entertainment, dog show, quality stalls, tombolas, raffles, and sea display – it was a brilliant day under sunny skies. The formidable Rye Town Crier, Paul Goring, always joins us to provide his unique style.
We raised over £6000 – an absolutely incredible amount which makes a significant difference to our operational and project costs.
What people don’t know
We go beyond just being a lifeboat, we support our community in many ways. We support Strandliners on annual beach cleans, help Mallydams with seal releases and help erect fences for events in Hastings.
Thank you to our community
Everything we do and invest is to continue to exist as a vital asset to our community – whether locals or visitors. We are passionate and committed to be a responsive and professional lifeboat service, night and day.
The dedication and determination of our volunteers can be undervalued as some don’t appreciate the differences between an independent lifeboat and the RNLI. We do everything ourselves – and are SO proud that we do.
Get involved!
We are always open to new recruits! Whether boat or shore crew or getting involved in admin or fundraising. Get in touch to find out more here.
Image Credits: PLIRB , Hawkins and Hawkins .