DONATIONS of £5,000 from the public mean RNLI crew are better equipped to face the challenges of life-saving.
After four years of trials, improved lifejackets with a new design have been adopted as standard issue, but each comes with a £450 price tag.
The station was challenged to raise the money to equip the crew with the jackets and admin officer David Powell said people have responded superbly.
He said: “We were given money collected by the Sailors’ Hobby Horse, but thousands more came in individual donations.
“At times like this you realise what a huge level of support the lifeboat station enjoys in the local community.”
The jackets, replacing the old design used since 1997, have greater bouyancy, a better fit for all sizes to make swimming easier, flare pockets at the front, a spray hood and a flashing light.
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