Cleethorpes Lifeboat Station is located on the Central Promenade, in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, which sits on the south bank of the River Humber estuary, in north east Lincolnshire.
The station currently operates a D-class (IB1) Inshore lifeboat, James and Deanna Adams (D-889), on station since 2024. A new larger B-class (Atlantic 85) is scheduled to be placed at the station in 2024.[2]
History
In 1868, The RNLI acceded to a request by local residents, that the Institution place a lifeboat at Cleethorpes. It was felt that a lifeboat was suited to Cleethorpes, as any ships running aground on the flat shore whilst trying to enter the River Humber, were usually out of reach of the rocket lines of the Rocket Brigade. A boathouse was constructed, and a 33-foot lifeboat and carriage were provided, all funded by the Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity. Prior to its arrival, the lifeboat was exhibited at both The Crystal Palace and Windsor, before being transported to Grimsby, from where it was drawn in a grand parade to Cleethorpes. It was reported that 70,000 attended the naming ceremony, where the lifeboat, a 'Pulling and Sailing (P&S) lifeboat, one with oars and sails, was duly named Manchester Unity. A demonstration of the self-righting abilities of the boat then took place.[3]
In a severe gale of 15 November 1878, the brigantineSea Flower of Seaham ran aground on the Hale Sand, near Donna Nook. The Donna Nook lifeboat was got ready, but before she could launch, the vessel got away again. The following day, distress signals were seen once again, but this time, the Cleethorpes lifeboat Manchester Unity was launched. Some injury and damage was sustained when the Ship's boat landed on the lifeboat, but all the crew were rescued and brought ashore.[4][5]
The long flat shore thought suitable for a lifeboat, was actually proving difficult for launching, and with extra problems finding sufficient crew members, the Cleethorpes lifeboat Station was closed in January 1882. The Manchester Unity was transferred to a new station established at Grimsby.[6]
In 1964, in response to an increasing amount of water-based leisure activity, the RNLI placed 25 small fast Inshore lifeboats around the country. These were easily launched with just a few people, ideal to respond quickly to local emergencies.[7]
One of the stations provided with an Inshore lifeboat was Humber. The D-class (RFD PB16) lifeboat D-56 was placed on station in 1964, but the location was found to be unsuitable. On 1 August 1965, the lifeboat was transferred to the new Humber Mouth Lifeboat Station, located at the Humber Mouth Yacht Club at Humberston. The lifeboat would be relocated to the Humberston Holiday Camp in 1967. After 14 years operations, the D-class lifeboat was withdrawn in 1979, and Humber Mouth Lifeboat Station officially closed in March 1980.[1][2]
An independent lifeboat service operated at Cleethorpes after the closure of the RNLI station, but an increasing number of calls prompted the reopening of an RNLI station on 29 June 1987. £45,000 was raised locally to re-establish the station, this time taking the original name of Cleethorpes Lifeboat Station.[8]
Launching Cleethorpes lifeboat.
On the 30 July 1989, the Inshore lifeboat was called to 5 canoeists, caught out in a sudden squall, with winds of force 7–8, on a charity paddle from Cleethorpes to Spurn Point and back, raising money for Barnados. After some searching in 10-foot high seas, the canoes were found, all 5 men picked up, and then with great difficulty, all transferred to the Pilot Boat Neptune. On the return, the lifeboat was alerted to the 20-foot yacht Serenus, aground near Spurn Point. A tow was set up, the boat re-floated, and the yacht and two occupants taken to Grimsby. In recognition of the courage, leadership, determination and fine seamanship, Helmsman David Steenvoorden, later to become Coxswain of the Humber lifeboat, was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal. Crew members Steven Burton and Martin Kennedy were accorded 'The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum', and all three received the 'The Ralph Glister Award 1989', for the most meritorious service of the year performed by a rescue boat crew.[9][10]
Cleethorpes would become the sixth station to receive one of the lifeboats funded by the appeals held on the BBC Television childrens programme Blue Peter. Following the 'Pieces of Eight' appeal, Tricentrol II (D-325) was withdrawn on 22 February 1994, and replaced by Blue Peter VI (D-454). A naming ceremony was held on 16 July 1994, the lifeboat being handed over to Cleethorpes lifeboat by Blue Peter presenter Anthea Turner, followed by a fly-past of the Air-Sea rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield.[11]
In a joint rescue with both the Humber and Cleethorpes lifeboats, and with the two lifeboats from Skegness and Mablethorpe on standby, in heavy snow showers and gale-force-8 winds, two men and the fishing boat Dolland were saved on 26 February 2004. The vessel had been reported adrift off the coast at Cleethorpes. Setting out in the D-class (EA16)Blue Peter VI (D-454), Helm Gary Barlow had taken 3 crew aboard for stability. On arrival at the vessel, two crew went aboard the Dolland. The water was too shallow for the Humber Severn-class lifeboat to get close, but the D-class was too light to make a tow, so with considerable skill and seamanship, a tow line was brought by the D-class to the vessel from the Severn-class, and the Dolland was towed to safety. RNLI Bronze Medals were each awarded to Helm Shaun Sonley and crew members Ian Sanderson and Tony Salters. Helm Gary Barlow was awarded the RNLI Silver Medals, and the 'James Michael Bower Endowment Fund award' for this service.[12]
Construction of a new lifeboat station for Cleethorpes began in April 2022, with work being placed on hold in February 2023, after the collapse of the contractor Tolent. Work has now recommenced, and it is expected to be completed in Winter 2024. A new B-class (Atlantic 85) will then be placed on service in addition to the D-class.[13]
↑ 33-foot (10-Oared) self-righting (P&S) lifeboat, built by Woolfe of Shadwell.
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