A £1million appeal to create a new lifeboat station in Cowes is being launched this weekend.

The current Cowes station is a small, temporary building within Shepherds Wharf marina, but the RNLI wants to refurbish the old Custom House building, near the mouth of the River Medina.

The new location would reduce lifeboat launch times to the Solent by four minutes.

Mark Southwell, lifeboat operations manager at Cowes RNLI station, said: ‘Where we’re based currently the lifeboat is exposed to the elements and is in a location that is far from ideal in operational terms. That is why the RNLI is launching the appeal.’

The RNLI has already purchased the Custom House building, but it needs a full refurbishment to turn it into a replacement lifeboat station and also provide space for training volunteer lifeboat crews.

Actress Celia Imrie, who owns a house in Cowes, will formally launch the appeal on Saturday.

She said: ‘I am aware that many islanders have already donated towards another RNLI appeal for Bembridge in recent years; for this appeal, we hope to entice supporters from the sailing fraternity.

‘As Cowes is the sailing ‘capital’ we hope that all those who arrive by boat to the town and its surrounding waters will see the importance of this appeal and help us achieve the £1million target.’

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