Hoylake’s new state-of-the-art lifeboat station is formally opened

Nov 5 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

Hoylake’s new state-of-the-art lifeboat station is formally opened and dedicated

HOYLAKE RNLI entered a new era at the weekend with the opening of a new state-of-the-art lifeboat station.

Around 350 supporters and dignitaries joined Hoylake lifeboat crew for the opening ceremony and service of dedication on Saturday.

The lifeboat station, which has been part-funded by a £2m fundraising appeal, was formally opened by Wirral West MP Stephen Hesford.

Captain Robin Woodall, chairman of Hoylake and West Kirby Lifeboat Station Management Group, chaired the ceremony and the service was conducted by Keith Sinclair, Bishop of Birkenhead.

John Curry, Hoylake RNLI lifeboat operations manager, said: “We are delighted to have this magnificent new lifeboat station at Hoylake.

“The existing station was not even from the last century so it is splendid to have both the room and modern facilities to take Hoylake Lifeboat Station, with its proud history, into the future.”

The lifeboat crew will move into their new home in the next few weeks and the old lifeboat station will remain operational.

The new station is large enough to enable to lifeboat and launching tractor to be housed together ready for immediate launch.

The new building also has two slipways and facilities including a training room, mechanics workshop, crew room and changing room.

The RNLI Hoylake Appeal has raised £900,000 since launching just over a year ago and is now focusing on raising funds for a new lifeboat.