A donation of nearly £0,000 , plans for a new building and a new ;la launcher will turn a lifeboat station into accommodation finally fit for purpose. Maryport Inshore Rescue has received £66,890 from the Grand lodge of Mark Master Masons fund of Benevolence. The grant will allow the sea and flood rescue group to instal the mezzanine floor that will finally give members enough room for meetings, training sessions and extra storage. Work was to have been started on the mezzanine floor in 2013 but when the need to stabilise the foundations of the headquarters on the Maryport docks, the money was diverted.
During the past year, volunteer teams have carried out 105 rescue operations locally and saved the lives of 10 people.
But it costs £400 in fuel and maintenance every time the lifeboat is launched and, as Gafirs relies entirely on local donations to keep its lifesaving boats afloat.
Jake added: ‘This year has been exceptionally busy for Gafirs as many people stayed in the UK because of the pandemic and enjoyed their summers by the coast.
‘We had a record 19 callouts in 12 days at one point after the first lockdown as people flooded to the beaches.’
Gafirs crews have also helped Gosport Borough Council this year as part of its Covid response, delivering food and medical supplies to hundreds of vulnerable people.