Ryde Inshore Rescue 1.
The preserved Steamship SS Shieldhall attracts attention when ever she is underway. This interest is shown by commercial, pleasure and emergency service vessels. The 1st of July was no exception when Shieldhall was in the Solent Southampton to observe part of the Round the Island Yacht Race (2023). The Ryde Inshore Rescue Rigid Inflatable Boat (Rescue number 1) that is featured in this image, I presume was operational in order to be able to offer rapid assistance to any of the participating yachts and their crews should they need it. I was very fortunate therefore to capture this and other images of the Ryde Rescue 1RIB as she swept by Shieldhall. The Ryde Inshore Rescue Service is run entirely by volunteers; is not connected in any way to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and is finance solely by money raised by supporters and the crew. The Ryde Lifeboat service has a very comprehensive web site which details its operations and fund raising activities.