South Coast Charity Saved From Closure

A charity - dedicated to sea rescue missions on the South Coast - has been saved from closing by Hampshire County Council.

Solent Sea-Rescue Organisation has been awarded funding of £41,500

The charity was established by the County Council in 1977, in partnership with local maritime authorities, to assist in sea rescues on the foreshore of the Solent and surrounding beaches.

It brings together eight independent lifeboat and rescue organisations, provides beach safety, as well as attending inland incidents. The organisation also gives regular sea and water safety talks to local community groups.

The funding will be used to cover the general running costs of the organisation.

Leader of Hampshire County Council Ken Thornber, said: “The Solent is recognised as one of the busiest waterways in the world and there are a number of obvious dangers it poses.. It is therefore disappointing that some local authorities have chosen to withdraw their funding to an organisation that does such exceptionally good work in keeping Hampshire’s waters safe.

“Despite the ongoing financial pressures faced by all in the public sector, we recognise that the Solent Sea-Rescue Organisation provides a vital service to all users of the Solent and we have chosen to fund the financial shortfall they would otherwise have faced.”

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