Tower Lifeboat Station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tower lifeboat station
Tower Lifeboat Station
General information
Type	RNLI Lifeboat Station
Location	Tower Lifeboat Station, River Thames, London, UK
Country	England
Coordinates	51°30′36″N 0°07′03″W / 51.509930°N 0.117412°W / 51.509930; -0.117412
Opened	2002
Owner	Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Technical details
Material	Pier

The Tower Lifeboat Station is a special place on the River Thames in London, UK. It's a base for lifeboats operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The RNLI is a charity that saves lives at sea and on rivers.

This station is located on the North Bank of the Thames, right next to Waterloo Bridge. It's part of the Victoria Embankment. The station got its name because the first RNLI lifeboat station in this area opened in 2002 near the Tower of London, at Tower Pier. In 2006, the lifeboat station moved to its current spot at Waterloo Pier, which used to be called the Waterloo Police Pier.

Why Was the Tower Lifeboat Station Created?

A new search and rescue service for the River Thames was announced on January 22, 2001. The government asked the RNLI to provide lifeboat help. This was the first time the RNLI was specifically asked to cover a river, not just the sea or river mouths.

This decision came after a serious accident in 1989. A pleasure boat called the Marchioness crashed with a large boat called the Bowbelle. Sadly, many lives were lost. Investigations into this accident showed that a dedicated rescue service was needed on the Thames.

When Did the Station Open?

The first lifeboat station opened at Tower Pier in 2002. An E-class lifeboat started its service at noon on January 2, 2002. This marked the beginning of new search and rescue plans for the tidal parts of the River Thames.

How Does the Station Work?

The Tower Lifeboat Station is always staffed, 24 hours a day, every day. This means they can respond to emergencies very quickly. The rescue efforts are managed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. They work from a control room at the Thames Barrier, which is run by the Port of London Authority.

Each lifeboat crew has three people. Two of them work full-time, and the third person is a volunteer. This setup allows the lifeboats to reach any incident within 15 minutes, which is very important for saving lives.

A Special Rescue Story

On May 2, 2004, the crew of the Tower Lifeboat Station showed great courage. Helmsman Mike Sinacola, Mechanic Michael Neild, and Crew Member Will Lawrie helped a seriously injured woman. They gave her first aid in front of many onlookers. For their excellent work, they received a special certificate.

New and better facilities for the station were finished at Waterloo Pier in 2006. This is where the station is located today.

What Lifeboats Are Used?

The Tower Lifeboat Station uses special fast boats called E-class lifeboats. These boats are designed to be quick and effective on the river.

E Class lifeboat E005 Legacy moored at Tower Lifeboat Station