The RNLI station on Hayling Island, on Sunday 16 May, will be celebrating over a hundred years of saving lives at sea by launching a new book about its history and launching the lifeboats.

The new book, “History of the Lifeboat Station” takes the story of Hayling Island lifeboat station from 1865 until the present day and includes some stunning pictures of the new lifeboats in action and details of some significant rescues over the years, including three horses.

The RNLI opened the first lifeboat station on Hayling Island in 1865, (which is now the Inn on the Beach), to assist distressed sailing vessels entering the Solent and the harbours of Chichester and Langstone. However, in 1924, when lifeboats with engines were stationed at Selsey and Bembridge and an un-powered lifeboat on Hayling Island was no longer required, the RNLI station was closed.

By 1966 a large number of visitors and pleasure craft were using the beaches and seas off Hayling Island and a new rescue service was started which led to the formation, in 1971, of the Hayling Island Sea Rescue & Research Organisation (HISRRO). In 1975 HISSRO and the RNLI joined forces to establish a new RNLI station on Hayling Island at the entrance to Chichester Harbour, its current location.

Since 1975, the RNLI’s voluntary lifeboat crew on Hayling Island have rescued over 1,100 people, saved the lives of 433 people and 3 horses. The Hayling Island lifeboat station, which is run by 45 local volunteers, now has two inshore lifeboats and in 2009 it was the 6th busiest RNLI station in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, with 120 launches rescuing 119 people.

Commander Conrad Davies, Honorary Station Treasurer, who managed the project, said: ‘Sponsorship covered the cost of the publication of the new book so all proceeds of its sale, at £5.99 a copy, will go entirely to the RNLI and help towards the running cost of the lifeboat station which is approximately £70,000 per annum.’

The book will be launched at a public event at Hayling Island lifeboat station, Bracklesham Road, Hayling Island, on Sunday 16th May at 11.00 am when lifeboat crew will demonstrate on the water the capabilities of the new lifeboats on Hayling.