Whitstable Lifeboat Station


Whitstable Lifeboat Station is located at Whitstable, a town overlooking the eastern end of The Swale, a tidal channel of the Thames estuary, sitting on the north coast of Kent.
A lifeboat station was first established at Whitstable by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in 1963.
The station currently operates a Inshore lifeboat, Lewisco, on station since 2014.
WWW rnli.org/find-my-nearest/...

History

In 1962, the number of rescues or attempted rescues by All-weather lifeboats in the summer months was 98, with the number of lives rescued being 133. In 1963, in response to an increasing amount of water-based leisure activity, the RNLI began trials of small fast Inshore lifeboats, placed at various locations around the country. These were easily launched with just a few people, ideal to respond quickly to local emergencies. This quickly proved to be very successful. In 1963, there were 226 rescues or attempted rescues in the summer months, as a result of which 225 lives were saved.
One of the first places chosen for a new Inshore lifeboats was Whitstable, in Kent. A new station was established in July 1963, with the arrival of a Inshore lifeboat, which was kept at East Quay. At the time, Inshore lifeboats were placed on station just for the summer season, and many boats were moved around to different stations. Whitstable are recorded as having six different Inshore lifeboats between 1963 and 1974.
In 1974, the smaller was withdrawn, and replaced with the larger twin-engined RIB, the Whitstable Branch.
Boathouse accommodation has been improved over the years. A single storey extension was added to the side of the boathouse in 1989, to improve crew facilities. In 2000, a completely new station was constructed, to provide new crew facilities, and house the larger Oxford Town & Gown.
A number of awards have been made to Whitstable crew members. Between 1977 and 2010, the "The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum" was accorded three times, for service in 1977, 1981 and 1986. It was awarded again in 2010, along with the "Walter and Elizabeth Groombridge Award" for the most meritorious rescue by an Inshore lifeboat crew in 2009.
On 28 May 2000, the Whitstable lifeboat was launched into a force 8/9 gale and rough seas, to the aid of the fishing dory Angelina. Three crew were saved from the sinking boat. Helm David Parry was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal.
The "Dan Davies Competition" for first aid and seamanship skills is held annually, in memory of Whitstable general practitioner Dan Davies, who served as medical officer to the lifeboat station.
In 2023, Whitstable Lifeboat Station celebrated its 60th anniversary.

Station honours

The following are awards made at Whitstable.