History 1966 – 2009

History 1966 – 2009

History 1966 – 2009

1966

First D-class inshore lifeboat stationed at Exmouth, in the old seafront building (summer season only).

The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum were accorded to Coxswain Brian Rowsell and crew member Peter Rowsell in recognition of their service in the inflatable lifeboat on 29 May when three bathers were rescued in a heavy sea two miles south west of Exmouth.

1968

Watson-class lifeboat Gertrude on station.

1970

‘City of Birmingham Lifeboat Appeal’ raises £42,000 towards the cost of a new Solent-class lifeboat, City of Birmingham.

1981

Framed letter of appreciation signed by the Chairman of the Institution, The Duke of Atholl, awarded to Coxswain Brian Rowsell in recognition of the service carried out by him in the station’s boarding boat on 19 December, when the crew of two of the yacht Michelle were rescued. This service was performed in very difficult conditions with a strong south south easterly gale and very rough, short seas. Leaving and entering the dock entrance were hazardous operations. Mr Mike Clifton, a former crew member of the inflatable lifeboat who accompanied Coxswain Rowsell, was sent a letter of appreciation signed by the Director, Rear Admiral W. J. Graham.

1982

D-class lifeboat permanently placed on station.

1983

33ft Brede-class lifeboat Caroline Finch on station.

1985

Thanks on Vellum and Service of Merit Badge awarded to crewman Geoffrey Ingram in recognition of his meritorious action on 7 April when he entered the sea from the lifeboat Caroline Finch  to give support to two girls who were in considerable difficulty after a speedboat sank one and a half miles east by south of Exmouth.

1994

44ft Waveney-class lifeboat Louis Marchesi of Round Table on station.  Refurbishment of the crewroom and repairs to tractor house.

1996

Trent-class lifeboat Forward Birmingham on station.

Dockside Lifeboat office

Dockside Lifeboat office

2002

Dockside building demolished and replaced by two port-a-cabins in a nearby carpark.Exmouth Lifeboat Station 27 Nov 09

2007

‘Exmouth Lifeboat Station Appeal Fund’ is launched to raise £2m. New station designed to house both the IB1 inshore and carriage-launched Mersey-class lifeboats.

2008

Tidally restricted Trent-class lifeboat replaced by Mersey-class Margaret Jean, lying afloat.

2009

The ‘Exmouth Lifeboat Station Appeal Fund’ reaches its £2m target.

2009

Talus MBH tractor and launching carriage delivered to Exmouth 14 April.

2009

The Lifeboat Station at Maer Rocks is completed, becoming operational on 20 November.