MAY I congratulate Mr E. Benham for again publicising the plight of the historic RNLI lifeboat that appears to have been abandoned on the West Bank (Gazette, June 19).
Your excellent photograph, which accompanied Mr Benham's letter, indicated that the vessel is still reasonably intact, although in poor condition, whereby it might not be economically practical to restore her to navigation.
Nonetheless, it would b
e a tragedy for her to be lost to posterity, particularly when Littlehampton is now seeing a revival of interest in its harbour activities, with both Arun District Council and Littlehampton Harbour Board having recently appointed new specialist officers.
May I suggest that these officers should initiate steps to rescue the vessel by establishing liaison between Arun District Council, Littlehampton Town Council, Littlehampton Harbour Board and the RNLI Heritage Trust, firstly to have the lifeboat professionally surveyed to see whether she can be restored to use, and, if this is not practical, to secure her removal for display on a suitable site in the East Bank, or Harbour Park areas, possibly under cover, where with limited restoration she would be a worthy feature commemorating Littlehampton's maritime history.
K W Grimes
Broadmark Avenue, RustingtonNOTE: All letters must include a name and address which can be withheld by request.
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