Margate's lifeboat crew will receive a brand new rescue station to replace their aging facility. The current building has served the Kent coast for almost five decades since opening back in 1978. Workers will tear down the old structure and build fresh headquarters on the same spot starting this September.
The updated station brings modern training rooms and proper changing areas for volunteer crews. Shop helpers will have better retail space and local groups can use meeting rooms. Solar panels will power the building which should last three decades without major repairs.
Derek Amas runs lifeboat operations at Margate and says the new station helps crews save lives along Thanet beaches. The facility serves the entire north Kent coastline with rescue missions. Seasonal lifeguards will also work from this location during busy summer months.
Crews will move to temporary buildings nearby during construction work. They will keep running their D class and B class rescue boats from these backup locations. The RNLI built the original station after Margate Pier collapsed decades ago.
Queen Elizabeth visited the current lifeboat station during 2011. The replacement building will be slightly bigger than the existing structure. Construction teams expect to finish the project within reasonable time limits for the rescue service.
The updated station brings modern training rooms and proper changing areas for volunteer crews. Shop helpers will have better retail space and local groups can use meeting rooms. Solar panels will power the building which should last three decades without major repairs.
Derek Amas runs lifeboat operations at Margate and says the new station helps crews save lives along Thanet beaches. The facility serves the entire north Kent coastline with rescue missions. Seasonal lifeguards will also work from this location during busy summer months.
Crews will move to temporary buildings nearby during construction work. They will keep running their D class and B class rescue boats from these backup locations. The RNLI built the original station after Margate Pier collapsed decades ago.
Queen Elizabeth visited the current lifeboat station during 2011. The replacement building will be slightly bigger than the existing structure. Construction teams expect to finish the project within reasonable time limits for the rescue service.
