Largs Lifeboat Station is located at the junction of Greenock Road and Barfields, in the seaside town of Largs, which sits on the Firth of Clyde, in North Ayrshire, on the west coast of Scotland.
The station currently operates a B-class (Atlantic 85) Inshore lifeboat (ILB), R. A. Wilson (B-854), on station since 2011.[2]
History
In response to the increasing amount of water-based leisure activity around the coast, the RNLI decided to introduce a number of small fast Inshore lifeboats, which could respond quickly to local emergencies, and be launched with just a handful of people. Trials took place over the winter of 1963, and it was decided that 25 Inshore boats would be placed around the UK. In Scotland, just two sites were chosen, at Broughty Ferry and Largs.[3]
In May 1964, Largs Lifeboat Station was established, with the arrival of an unnamed 16-foot D-class (RFD PB16) Inshore lifeboat, (D-22). Initially, the Inshore boats were seasonal, being introduced in the spring, and withdrawn in autumn. The stations didn't always get the same boat back each year.[2]
The Largs Inshore lifeboat was launched to the aid of 6 men aboard a drilling rig (pontoon) off Hunterston. On arrival, the pontoon was found to be moving violently in the rough conditions, and it was decided to take the six men off. All 6 men, and their service launch, were recovered to Hunterston Jetty. A 'Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution' was awarded to each of the three crew of the ILB, John H Harrison, Helmsman, and crew members Robert Watson, and John Mackie.[1]
It was decided in 1973, that a larger faster twin-engined B-class lifeboat would be placed at Largs. The relief B-class (Atlantic 21) lifeboat Co-operative No.1 (B-511) arrived on station temporarily in 1973 for training. Soon afterwards, the D-class (RFD PB16) (D-151) was withdrawn, and the Atlantic 21 lifeboat William McCunn and Broom Church Youth Fellowship (B-513) was placed on service, to become the permanent lifeboat at Largs until 1980.[2]
At a ceremony on July 18 1981, a new boathouse, funded from the legacy of the late Miss Janet Brunton, was formally handed over to the RNLI, and the new Atlantic 21 which had arrived in 1980 was named Independent Forester Liberty (B-547).[4]
On 24 July 1983, Largs lifeboat Independent Forester Liberty (B-547) was launched to the aid of a capsized motor-boat, off Fairhaven, on the east side of Great Cumbrae Island, with four people aboard. Two men had been picked up by a yacht, and the third was pulled unconscious from the water into a motor-boat, but didn't survive. The fourth person, a girl, was still trapped in an air-pocket in the boat. After several attempts ducking into the water, and under the upturned boat, crewman Arthur Hill managed to get the girl free, and into the waiting lifeboat. Hill was awarded both the RNLI Silver Medal, and the Maud Smith Award 1983. Helm John Strachan was accorded 'The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum'.[5]
In 1997, the station received a replacement lifeboat, the larger B-class (Atlantic 75). The 1981 boathouse was no longer big enough to accommodate both the boat and the Talus MB-764 County amphibious tractor used to launch the boat. A new larger boathouse was constructed, with new crew facilities, workshop and storage. Completed in February 1998, the boathouse was formally opened by H.R.H. Princess Anne in July 1998.[1][6]
A new B-class (Atlantic 85) lifeboat, R. A. Wilson (B-854), was placed on service on 6 November 2011. The new lifeboat was funded by Robert Amory Wilson.[1]
Walmer Lifeboat Station is located on The Strand on Walmer promenade, in the county of Kent.
Porthcawl Lifeboat Station is located at The Esplanade, in the town of Porthcawl, on the South Wales coast, in Bridgend, Wales.
The Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station is a lifeboat station at Southend-on-Sea in the English county of Essex, operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) since 1879.
Weymouth Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Weymouth in Dorset, England. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1869. It currently operates a Severn-class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) and an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat (ILB).
Mudeford Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Mudeford, Christchurch, Dorset in England. The first lifeboat was stationed on Mudeford Quay 1963 and the present station was opened in 2003. It operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat (ILB).
Poole Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Poole, Dorset in England. The first lifeboat was stationed at Poole Harbour in 1865 and the present station was opened in 1988.
Southwold Lifeboat Station is an RNLI operated lifeboat station located in the town of Southwold in the English county of Suffolk.
Rhyl Lifeboat Station is operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in the North Wales town of Rhyl. For over 150 years, the Lifeboat Crew in Rhyl have been saving lives at sea. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1852 and the present station was opened in December 2001. The station operates a Shannon-class All-weather lifeboat (ALB), and an D-class (IB1) Inshore lifeboat (ILB).
Pwllheli Lifeboat Station is located in the town of Pwllheli, which sits on the Llŷn Peninsula, in the historic county of Gwynedd, Wales.
Whitstable Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located in Whitstable in the English county of Kent.
Hunstanton Lifeboat Station is located in the village of Old Hunstanton, in the English county of Norfolk. It is the only lifeboat station on the east coast of England which faces westward, being positioned on the east side of the square-mouthed bay and estuary known as The Wash.
Portsmouth Lifeboat Station is located on Eastney Point near Southsea, in the English county of Hampshire. The station is owned and operated by the RNLI and is an Inshore lifeboat station. The station is facing Langstone Harbour on one of the tributaries flowing into the Solent. The station was established in May 1965.
Littlehampton Lifeboat Station is located in the town of Littlehampton, in West Sussex, on the south coast of England.The station is on the harbour side on the eastern bank of the River Arun, a quarter mile from the harbour entrance and the pier. The current lifeboat house on Fisherman's Quay was built in 2002.
Brighton Lifeboat Station is located in the seaside town of Brighton in the county of East Sussex.
Tighnabruaich Lifeboat Station is located at the harbour at Tighnabruaich, a village on the Cowal peninsula, on the Kyles of Bute, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.
Criccieth Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Criccieth in Gwynedd, Wales. It was opened in 1853 but was known as Portmadoc Lifeboat Station until 1892. It operates B-class and Arancia-class lifeboats.
Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station is located in Trearddur, Anglesey, Wales and opened in 1967 as an inshore lifeboat station.
Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat Station is located on Hastings Avenue, in the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea, on the Tendring peninsular, in the county of Essex.
Beaumaris Lifeboat Station is located in the town of Beaumaris, on the Isle of Anglesey, in Wales.
Red Bay Lifeboat Station is located at Coast Road, Cushendall, County Antrim, a village at the mouth of the River Dall, in the Glens of Antrim, approximately 20 miles (32 km) north east of Ballymena, on the north-east coast of Northern Ireland.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
Royal National Lifeboat Institution 
