Felixstowe Coast Patrol & Rescue, Independent Lifeboat

Remembrance Day 2024 Today, Felixstowe Coast Patrol & Rescue honours those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. At 11:00 a.m., we pause to remember their bravery and honour the service of all who protect our communities, past and present. Lest We Forget.

Felixstowe Coast Patrol and Rescue will be at the Ipswich Firework Display this Saturday, November 2nd! Come by to meet our crew and see our Lifeboat, Last Orders up close. See you there! 🚤💥 #IndependentLifeboat

We often meet people who aren't quite sure where we fit in. We hear things like: "Are you part of the RNLI?" "Do you get paid?" "Are you the Felixstowe Coastguard?" In the UK, an independent lifeboat refers to a service that operates outside of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). There are several smaller, independent lifeboat stations like ours, run by local communities, charities, and other organizations. We offer the same vital emergency search and rescue services, but we do it independently. 🚤 Felixstowe Coast Patrol & Rescue, founded in 1997 by John Cresswell, was created to serve the people of Felixstowe with their own volunteer-driven lifeboat service. We bring the same passion, training, and dedication to sea rescues, but relying solely on the support of our local community. 🚨 In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. For the safety of all. "In Salutem Omnium." #IndependentLifeboat #VolunteerService #Charity #Ipswich #Felixstowe #Suffolk #PortofFelixstowe

A huge thank you to Peewit Family Bowls Club! We are incredibly grateful to have been their nominated Charity of the Year, and at their event last night, we were presented with a cheque reflecting their amazing fundraising efforts. Thanks to their dedication throughout the year and the proceeds from last night’s raffle, we’re thrilled to announce a total of £1,565 raised to support our patrol efforts! 🙌 We've enjoyed connecting with the club members over the year. We even had a friendly bowls match together – such great fun, and we can’t wait for the rematch next year! #Felixstowe #FCPR #Suffolk #charity #SavingLivesatSea #IndependentLifeboat

🌊 Join Our Crew! 🌊 Felixstowe Coast Patrol and Rescue is on the lookout for more volunteers to join our team. We’re especially seeking a Fundraising Lead to help keep our operation afloat! If you have experience in fundraising and a heart for the community, we’d love to have you on board. #Felixstowe #Volunteer #Fundraising #Lifeboat

A huge thank you to Seafast Logistics Limited, Part of the Uniserve Group for generously supporting Felixstowe Coast Patrol & Rescue by providing safe space for our storage unit and Land Rover at their premises in Felixstowe while we search for our new permanent home.  It’s great to see local businesses supporting charitable causes like ours!

Today, on Emergency Services/999 Day, we celebrate all those incredible people who work tirelessly to keep us safe. A special shoutout goes to the dedicated members of our Felixstowe Coast Patrol and Rescue crew, who not only serve professionally within the Emergency Services and NHS but also generously volunteer their free time with us. Your commitment and service are invaluable assets to our crew. #EmergencyServicesDay #999Day

🌊 Join Our Crew! 🌊 Felixstowe Coast Patrol and Rescue is on the lookout for more volunteers to join our team. We’re especially seeking a Fundraising Lead to help keep our operation afloat! If you have experience in fundraising and a heart for the community, we’d love to have you on board. #Felixstowe #Volunteer #Fundraising #Lifeboat

Weekend Report: Felixstowe Coast Patrol and Rescue Another busy weekend for the Felixstowe Coast Patrol and Rescue team as we responded to critical situations on the water, ensuring the safety of those in need. Here’s a summary of our activities: Saturday Key Events: We responded to a mayday call from a vessel with a crew member having breathing difficulties. Despite very challenging conditions, we reached the yacht within 10 minutes. Due to the conditions and proximity to Harwich, it was deemed best not to transfer the casualty to our lifeboat, Last Orders, so along with Harwich Haven Authority we shadowed them to Ha’penny Pier, then proceeded to provide medical attention until we could hand over to the ambulance service. We're happy to report that the casualty started to feel better while we were with them, and we wish them a speedy recovery. Sunday Key Events: We assisted a yacht that had experienced engine failure. Our team arrived on the scene, secured a towline, and safely navigated the vessel into Suffolk Yacht Harbour ensuring both the crew and yacht were brought back without further incident. If you're interested in getting involved, get in touch! In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the coastguard. #WaterSafety #FCPR #SavingLivesAtSea #Felixstowe #Suffolk #Volunteers #Charity #Lifeboat #IndependentLifeboat

🚤 Felixstowe Coast Patrol and Rescue: Honouring the Heroes of Lancaster Bomber LM258 🌊 80 years ago, Lancaster Bomber LM258 was hit during a critical mission over France and struggled to maintain height on its return to England. Nearing Felixstowe, the crew heroically diverted the plane over the sea, where it crashed, saving lives on the ground. Yesterday, we had the honour of participating in a ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Lancaster Bomber LM258 crash in Felixstowe. On Sunday, August 25th, at 12 midday, the Town Hall and Museum led a short service on the steps of the Town Hall, remembering the seven brave crew members who tragically lost their lives while saving the people of Felixstowe. Among those present was Richard, the great-nephew of F/O Charles Bryce Oxenham, RAF New Zealand, one of the fallen heroes. After the service, the Crew of Last Orders cast a wreath onto the waves at the approximate crash site. The plaque at the Town Hall reads: "For that noble action, we shall ever be indebted." We are honoured to have played a part in this tribute, ensuring the memory of these heroes lives on. #Felixstowe #LancasterBomber