A new RNLI lifeboat station on the River Thames has opened in Wandsworth, giving crews a quicker route to emergencies and a far better-equipped base.
Wandsworth Riverside replaces the charity’s former station in Chiswick and is now home to 66 volunteers and 10 permanent staff. The move puts the crew closer to areas where demand is highest, including Putney.
The difference was felt quickly. In the station’s first 48 hours, crews answered eight call-outs, two of which resulted in people being rescued. The RNLI says the new location can cut around five minutes from launches to Putney.
A bigger base for a busy crew
The former Chiswick station was one of the UK’s busiest, with crews attending 215 incidents between January and September 2025. The new building has 10 times the floor space, with dedicated storage for volunteers’ kit, training areas, rest and bunk rooms, and a larger crew room.
The £4m station was funded entirely through donations. Its facilities are also intended to support crew wellbeing after difficult incidents, while plans are in place to welcome local visitors and open a shop.
Why it matters for Britain
The new base should help RNLI volunteers reach people in trouble on this busy stretch of the Thames more quickly. It also provides a stronger training and support hub for the London crews who respond to river emergencies.
