The Independent Rescue Boat
JO O’HARA introduces Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat (PLIRB) – which provides a similar service to the RNLI but without the same level of funding or support
PLIRB was formed in 1970 to support the local fishing community and has grown ever since. Our mission as a lifesaving service is the preservation of life and the promotion of safety at sea on the foreshore and in inland waters.
We serve the coastline between Hastings and Rye, although we can be called as far as Bexhill. We operate all year round and are on call 24/7. EVERYONE at PLIRB is a volunteer – from our talented boat and shore crew, to our brilliant support team.
We are not affiliated with RNLI or HM Coastguard but work closely with their local units as well as other emergency services. Like RNLI, we receive our taskings from UK Coastguard and are extremely proud that our average launch time is 15-20 minutes from the time of paging – all thanks to our on-call volunteers.
As one of approximately 75 independent lifeboat stations across the UK, we are entirely self-managed and self-funded. We receive no public or centralised funding – we raise funds through donations, fundraising activities, grant applications and our sea shanty group – The Pett Slip Buoys. We work hard to secure funds for all operational costs, development projects and boat/vehicle assets.
All volunteers receive rigorous training and can undertake professional qualifications (radio licence, powerboat courses, sea survival, casualty care and first aid). Volunteers can decide how they contribute – boat crew, shore crew, events,fundraising or administrative. We also welcome Duke of Edinburgh scheme volunteers, who spend several months training with us to learn vital skills, gain experience and build confidence.
Our taskings are varied and can be complex multi-agency incidents, including: attending Mayday calls to vessels in critical danger; assisting vessels in difficulty – pleasure crafts suffering engine failure, motorboats running low on fuel or yachts taking on water; assisting swimmers, paddle-boarders, kayakers or even walkers in difficulty; searching for missing (often vulnerable) persons; locating and retrieving hazardous debris and providing medical or casualty care.
What makes PLIRB unique is that we strive to be a valuable community asset by:
- supporting local events – whether providing the BBQ, erecting /dismantling safety barriers or marquees for concerts, delivering first aid or demonstrating our boat and encouraging youth involvement
- hosting school/youth and other local groups for boathouse and facility tours, beach safety and education sessions
- helping keep the local area clean and hazard-free – this includes moving hazardous or large objects from the beach, clearing fallen trees or debris and placing safety marker buoys to ensure people’s safety
- supporting the release of seals in the area
- assisting with beach cleans
- providing ash scattering services at sea and installing commemorative benches.
The Future of PLIRB
PLIRB has an ambitious strategy to future-proof the service. This strategy includes the development of the boathouse footprint (2025-2026) and the replacement of the rescue boat (2027) – both of which are in response to the increasing demands on the service.
PLIRB is appealing for donations to help fund either campaign. For more information go to plirb.org or facebook.com/PettLevelRescueBoat Email: [email protected]
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