A HAMPSHIRE lifeboat service has cut the number of weekend patrols after being faced with a steep rise in fuel costs.
The 37 volunteers based at Hamble Lifeboat Station regularly took to the water twice a day on Saturdays and Sundays as part of their rescue cover.
They carried out routine patrols in Southampton Water as well as travelling up and down the rivers Hamble, Itchen and Test.
Now they are going out to a single point in the Solent and waiting for any calls that come in.
Volunteers say action is needed to prevent a sharp increase in fuel bills, which already total about £11,000 a year. Prices have jumped by at least 25 per cent in the past few weeks and are expected to continue rising.
They also fear the general cost of living crisis could slash the amount of money donated to the service, which costs £60,000 a year to operate.
Last year Hamble lifeboat was called to 122 incidents involving a total of 119 people and also took part in 179 training exercises.
A spokesperson said the volunteers were still on call 24/7 and would continue to staff the lifeboat station between 9am and 6pm at weekends.
But she added: "Instead of doing what we used to do at weekends we're going out to a single point in the Solent and sitting there for a couple of hours waiting for any calls we receive.
"The majority are to incidents in Southampton Water and the Solent, so by doing this we can respond more quickly."
A spokesperson for the Lepe-based Solent Rescue added: "We're not aiming to change the way we operate at this time but are monitoring the wider situation very closely."
A RNLI spokesperson said: "We balance the need to train and save lives against sensible use of our fuel stores.
"We are conscious of the recent rapid increase in fuel prices and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure there is no impact on the RNLI’s lifesaving service.
"Our 238 lifeboat stations will continue to launch to save lives at sea whenever we are requested to do so."
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