Chiswick History

2001 A new search and rescue service for the River Thames was announced on 22 January. The RNLI was asked by the Government to provide lifeboat cover; this was the first time the Institution had set up lifeboat stations to specifically cover a river rather than estuarial waters.

2002 An E class Tiger Marine fast response boat was placed on service on 2 January when the new search and rescue arrangements for the tidal reaches of the River Thames came into operation.

The E class lifeboat E-003 was officially named Chelsea Pensioner at a naming ceremony held on 19 July at The Royal Hospital, Chelsea.