While most people will be tucking into their roast turkey on Christmas Day, or spending it with family opening presents, a silent army of unassuming heroes will be ready to leap into action at a moment's notice.

The water does not become any less dangerous on Christmas Day, and a team of brave volunteers are on call at lifeboat stations dotted up and down the Hampshire coast 24/7 - including at this most wonderful time of the year.

Some 20 to 25 crew members will be on standby via pager, with some doing split shifts in the morning or afternoon.

“I’ve been part of the RNLI for 10 years across two stations, and I’ve been involved in some capacity on Christmas Day pretty much every year,” said RNLI Calshot Helm Ant Hole.

The 39-year-old is on standby again for the station this year after previously transferring from the charity's team in Swanage.

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“We’ve got pagers, so we can still be at home with the family, as long as we’re within our response area,” he said.

“I still have to peel the potatoes and carrots for dinner, but when a shout comes in, we’ve got seven minutes to get to the station.

“The normal rules of the road apply for us, so as long as we’re within a seven-minute radius, we can do whatever we want.”

Ant Hole has volunteered 'in some capacity' every year for the last 10 years.Ant Hole has volunteered 'in some capacity' every year for the last 10 years. (Image: RNLI Calshot) A boat cannot launch without a helm, so all four helms at the station will be available and ready to go.

Ant has been called out on Christmas Day several times. One year, he was called to save a sailboat struggling to steer early in the morning.

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But the 39-year-old noted that the RNLI have to respond to more welfare jobs than usual over the Christmas period, admitting that he has attended social jobs late on Christmas evening.

This is one of the reasons that the lifeguard charity raises money through the winter each year.

During his normal days, Ant works for a private ambulance service.

When he gets called in on Christmas Day, it is business as usual for him and his crew.

“We say a little Merry Christmas once we walk in the door together but then we click into action mode," Ant said.

“It’s just like any other job on its own merit once you’re on the boat. Once we get back, that’s when we wonder if there’s any food left on the table or if the kids haven’t eaten it all, and talk about our new socks."