We welcome all groups with children such as Schools, Guides, Cubs, Rainbows, Cadets etc.
Children’s safety education and development are very important to the RNLI. However, the station is designed for Lifeboats and very large launching equipment. Despite its outside appearance space is limited for groups.
In order to balance the needs of an operational lifeboat station and the comfort and success of your visit we draw your attention to the following guidelines which are designed to help our young visitors make the most of their experience:-
- We can accommodate classes of up to 45 and they must be accompanied by sufficient staff while they are with us (Please see terms and conditions).
- The tour usually lasts between 45 minutes and an hour and we try to involve visitors in imagining what it might mean to prepare to go out on a rescue. We will also endeavour to reinforce current water safety messages
- The leader of the group must complete a booking form which explains the terms and conditions. The booking form can be found here
- Please book as early as you can as we can get very busy.
- We look forward to seeing you!
- It may be possible to further assist you by arranginging an additional pre- visit to the RNLI Lifeguards (Exmouth Beach during the Summer) or put you in contact with an RNLI educational officer who can visit schools with material and explanations about our role and safety at sea.
About groups with children
Over the years the Exmouth Lifeboat Station Tour Guides have conducted a great number of pre-booked tours for Schools, Brownies, Cubs, Cadets, Guides, Rainbows, Rangers and more.
With all that experience, we have developed a method of conducting tours in the most favourable way for the children, the supervising adults and the guides.
While the station may look large from the outside there is not much available space inside once all the equipment has been stored away, as you will discover on the tour!
About the station
Exmouth’s current lifeboat station was built at a cost of £1,750,000, becoming operational on November 20th, 2009. The old station is now home to Exmouth Rowing Club.
As Exmouth is an operational station, we need to limit the number of visitors on site at any one time for safety reasons. In the event of a ‘shout,’ we must clear the station quickly.
What happens on the tour?
Each tour consists of three parts:
- The Inshore Lifeboat and changing room
- The All Weather Lifeboat changing room, including a Water Safety Briefing
- The Shannon All Weather Lifeboat and Shannon Launch and Recovery System (tractor and trailer)
Our experience suggests that a group of 10-15 can be cleared from the station in about one minute. Therefore, we aim for groups of 30-45 per hour, but we can be flexible. Please let us know if you have any special requirements.
If you have any questions before you book, please email the Lifeboat Visits Officer at visits@exmouthlifeboat.org.uk
Ian Rick
Lifeboat Visits Officer
Exmouth Lifeboat Station
Queen’s Drive
Exmouth
Devon
EX8 2AY