Seahouses lifesavers first to get new rescue vehicle
Lifesavers on the Northumberland coast are among the first in the country to take delivery a new rescue vehicle in a deal with a British manufacturer.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crew at Seahouses is one of four stations to receive a Grenadier station wagon in a partnership between the charity and INEOS Automotive – which will eventually see 20 of the off-road vehicles supporting their vital search and rescue work.
The station wagons will help volunteers position, launch and recover the charity’s D-class lifeboats and play a crucial role at locations where a robust, dependable vehicle is required to launch lifeboats straight from the beach.
RNLI engineer, Sam Barton, said: “After extensive testing and evaluation in conjunction with the specialist fleet team at INEOS, it’s clear that Grenadier has the required robustness and durability to safely withstand the rigours of RNLI lifesaving activities.
"It has proved to be perfect for RNLI operations after modifications, including installation of marine-standard radios and a larger front winch.”
He added: “Our volunteers have loved getting to know the Grenadier and have every confidence that it can be relied upon in their toughest moments.”
Along with Seahouses, RNLI Flint, Morecambe and Lytham are the first to receive their Grenadiers and they are due to be in operation at 12 lifeboat stations by August.
Tony Lewis, head of fleet sales at INEOS Automotive, said: “Our partnership with the RNLI delivers on the core purpose of the Grenadier.
“It was always envisaged that the Grenadier would have an important role to play in a wide range of search and rescue activities.”