RNLI takes delivery of Ford Rangers

Ford has supplied the RNLI with 20 new four-wheel-drive Ford Rangers to support beach patrols across the country.

Ford will ship a total of 210 new vehicles to the RNLI by the end of 2019, followed by a further 150 in 2020 and again in 2021 – including a total of 100 Ford Rangers to act as beach patrol vehicles for its lifeguard service.

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: “We’ve been delighted to supply vehicles to the RNLI this year and support the outstanding work they do to keep the UK coast line safe. We’re really excited to see our Ford Ranger being used as part of their vital beach patrols.”

Ford will be further collaborating with the RNLI throughout 2020 on water safety messages to raise public awareness of risks around the water to help people enjoy coastal and inland waterways more safely.

Nick Saunders, RNLI senior procurement manager, said: “We’re extremely happy with our new fleet of Ford vehicles that are so well-suited to carrying out our life-saving work.”

The 2019 fleet of RNLI Fords will include 10 Fiesta, 10 EcoSport, 80 Focus, 10 Kuga, 80 Transit, Transit Connect and Transit Customs plus the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), as well as 20 four-wheel-drive Rangers to be deployed on beach patrols.

RNLI volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the UK and Republic of Ireland coasts. It operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands.

It is independent of Coastguard and Government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.

Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,400 lives.