I have spoken a great deal in Parliament and locally about water safety, but ultimately it is people who save lives. The volunteers who give up their time, train, fundraise and are prepared to go out onto the water when somebody else is in trouble deserve our enormous respect and gratitude.
And in Southampton, a city built around the water, we recognise and celebrate that more than most. So it was a huge privilege to join trustees, volunteers, crew and supporters of Hamble Lifeboat last weekend to welcome Southampton’s first independent lifeboat – the Adrian Rann – into service.
Based at Southampton Water Activities Centre, the new lifeboat is an important extension of the lifesaving work of Hamble Lifeboat, giving them a dedicated presence in Southampton and the ability to respond quickly across the River Itchen, River Test and Southampton Water.
We all hope, of course, that this new lifeboat is called upon as little as possible. But when she is needed, I know Southampton will be enormously grateful that she, and the dedicated people who crew her, are here.
