SARA Sharpness Station

• SARA's Second station, first building opened in 1986

• Houses three inshore rescue boats, SARA 2, SARA 4 and SARA 6

• Land Search / Boat Haulage vehicle also on station.

Sharpness station was originally setup in response to a tragic accident. In November 1985 a Mother, Father and Small child were cut off while walking on the sands just off Sharpness. They were swept away by the incoming tide and drowned. A short while later in a separate incident a 15 year old boy was also lost just off Sharpness.

Due to the fact that Chepstow boats could not reach this area at this state of tide it was decided to open a Station at Sharpness. When fund-raising efforts were well underway the station was Opened by TV Personality Johnny Morris in 1986.

The station was originally based in two portacabins by the side of Sharpness Old Dock. The largest of the two Sharpness boats, SARA 2, was kept in an outside compound and unfortunately suffered engine theft on several occasions. In 1996 the crew were able to move into the renovated Dock Master's house and this is used as the base today. The grade 2 listed building was renovated with financial help from; British Waterways, Gloucester Harbour Trustees; The Foundation for Sport & the Arts, English Heritage and Stroud District Council. The refurbished station boasts a large boathouse, galley, changing rooms, control room and presentation room.

There is no slipway at Sharpness, and boats are launched by means of a crane which lowers the boat down to the water from the top of the dock basin. Boats can be launched at almost any state of tide except extreme low water, although this has been achieved by sliding the smaller of the two boats across the mud and out into the river.

Inside Sharpness Station, items such as radio communication equipment are located in the control room. All incidents are run from here in conjunction with the Coastguard or other agency that may have requested search and rescue services.