Exhibitors at the London Boat Show have donated a rescue RIB to villagers cut off by relentless floods. The villagers of Muchelney, on the Somerset Levels, can now receive much-needed supplies.

Muchelny, which means ‘Big Island’ in Saxon, took delivery of a Rigiflex New Matic 360 Safety Rescue Boat to aid marooned villagers in accessing necessary supplies for transport to the nearby town. The boat has been provided as an emergency donation by the London Boat Show and its exhibitors who raised funds to back this rescue mission.

The boat, engine, lifejackets, safety and radio equipment, insurance and transport of the boat to Somerset has all been provided through the goodwill of London Boat Show and its exhibitors including; ADPR, ASAP, BHG Marine, Coleman, Event Broadcast, Garmin, ICOM, IPC, Marine Resources, Ocean Safety, PSP, Rigiflex and Torqeedo.

Adrian Danson, National Boat Shows’ Commercial Director commented: “The London Boat Show has a wide range of marine experts all under one roof here at London’s ExCeL and we have been following the news of the extreme weather conditions across much of the UK with real concern.

Our thoughts are with everyone living in the areas that are affected and we are proud to be in a position to come together as an industry to help make a difference.”

Alice Driscoll, MD of Somerset based company ADPR said: “I know this area well and the plight of the villagers who have been cut off. Working in the marine industry enabled us to pull together the whole package from Rigiflex boat to Torqeedo engine. The marine industry responded to the plea for help and within 24 hours the rescue boat was delivered by PSP to the village, where it is now being used to carry people to and from work and school and bring essential supplies into the village.”

Alastair Mullineux, Muchelney villager commented on receiving the boat: “Fantastic thanks to all involved. The boat is already in use.”

The 2014 London Boat Show runs at ExCeL London until Sunday, 12 January. The Show, which is now in its Sixtieth Year plays host to a wide range of world famous brands alongside the best of British manufacturers.