Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station | |
---|---|
General information | |
Type | RNLI Lifeboat Station |
Location | Southend-on-Sea lifeboat station |
Address | Southend Pier, Essex, SS1 1EE |
Country | England |
Coordinates | 51°31′56.6″N0°42′59.0″E / 51.532389°N 0.716389°E |
Opened | 1879 |
Owner | Royal National Lifeboat Institution |
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. [1] [2]
Because of the large tidal range and extensive drying foreshore at Southend, the lifeboat station uses two boathouses.
The first of these is situated at the head (outer end) of the 1.34 miles (2.16 km) long Southend Pier, and houses a B-class (Atlantic 85) lifeboat and a smaller D-class (IB1) lifeboat, both of which are launched by davit into the deep water adjoining the pier.
The second boathouse is situated adjacent to the inshore end of the pier, and houses a second D-class IB1 lifeboat together with a H class hovercraft, both of which are launched down an adjacent slipway. [3]
The pier head lifeboat station from the sea (the lifeboats are stored behind the red doors, and are launched by the davits)
The pier-head lifeboat house is a modern structure, which incorporates crew accommodation and offices, an RNLI shop, and a viewing gallery from which visitors can view the lifeboats. It is topped by a sun deck to which the public have access. Lifeboat crews use an electric buggy, complete with sirens and blue flashing lights, to access this boathouse along the pier from the shore. [3]
The lifeboat station was first established in 1879, and was launched from davits on the pier in a similar manner to today. Between 1885 and 1891 there was a second station on the mainland, with the boat launched by horse-drawn carriage. The first motor lifeboat arrived in 1928. In 1935, a new lifeboat house and slipway was erected at the pier head. In 1940, the lifeboat Greater London (Civil Service No.3) (ON 704) was one of the 19 lifeboats which assisted in the evacuation of Dunkirk. [3]
In 1955 what would prove to be Southend's final All-weather lifeboat went on station. The newly built Greater London II (Civil Service No.30), a 46ft 9in Watson-class, entered service on 3 April. From then until 1968, the Thames Estuary was covered by three similar slipway launched 46ft 9in Watsons stationed on seaside piers at Clacton-on-Sea, Margate and Southend-on-Sea. Clacton's Watson was replaced by a 37ft Oakley-class lifeboat in 1968. [3]
In 1969, the RNLI placed two extra lifeboats on the Thames Estuary, following a decision by the RAF to withdraw the rescue helicopters from RAF Manston. An extra D-class lifeboat went to Southend-on-Sea, and it was decided to place an All-weather lifeboat at Sheerness on evaluation. [4]
By the early 1970s, two inflatable inshore lifeboats were in use at Southend to provide assistance to the increasing number of pleasure craft. In 1974, Sheerness was allocated a fast Waveney-class boat and two years later Southend's All-weather Watson-class lifeboat was withdrawn and replaced by the inshore Atlantic 21 class Percy Garon (B-527). This was initially kept in the 1935 pier head boathouse, but in 1986 the coaster Kings Abbey sliced through the pier and lifeboat slipway, badly damaging the lifeboat house. A temporary station was quickly re-established at the pierhead, and officially opened in 1991. This temporary station was used until 2002, when today's modern boathouse was opened. [3]
In 2014, a new shore boathouse was completed to accommodate the new hovercraft, Vera Ravine (H-004), that was placed in service. [5]
Two Southend lifeboats have been named in recognition of Percy Garon MC GM (1890-1987), who was Honorary Secretary of Southend-On-Sea Lifeboat Station from 1952-1975. [6] [7]
The following are awards made at Southend-on-Sea [8]
ON [lower-alpha 1] | Name | In service [12] | Class | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
− | Boys of England and Edwin J. Brett | 1879-1889 | 24ft Self-righting (P&S) | |
33 | Theodore & Herbert (Southend No.2) | 1885-1899 | 34ft Self-righting (P&S) | |
259 | Boys of England and Edwin J. Brett (Southend No.1) | 1889-1891 | 25ft Self-righting (P&S) | Previously William James Holt at Weston-super-Mare |
430 | James Stevens No.9 | 1899-1923 | Norfolk and Suffolk (P&S) | |
505 | Reserve No.7C | 1923−1924 | Watson (P&S) | Previously William Roberts at Littlehaven |
535 | Reserve No.7E | 1924−1928 | Watson (P&S) | Previously Charlie Medland at The Mumbles |
704 | Greater London (Civil Service No.3) | 1928−1941 | Ramsgate | |
694 | J.B.Proudfoot | 1941−1945 | 45ft Watson | Previously H.F. Bailey at Cromer |
704 | Greater London (Civil Service No.3) | 1945−1955 | Ramsgate | |
921 | Greater London II (Civil Service No.30) | 1955−1976 | 46ft 9in Watson | All weather lifeboat withdrawn from station in 1976 |
Op. No. [lower-alpha 2] | Name | In service [12] | Class | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
D-21 | Unnamed | 1965 | D-class (RFD PB16) | |
D-60 | Unnamed | 1965−1966 | D-class (Dunlop) | |
D-61 | Unnamed | 1966 | D-class (Dunlop) | |
D-35 | Unnamed | 1966 | D-class (RFD PB16) | |
D-63 | Unnamed | 1967 | D-class (Dunlop) | |
D-62 | Unnamed | 1967−1969 | D-class (Dunlop) | |
D-128 | Unnamed | 1969−1970 | D-class (RFD PB16) | |
D-158 | Unnamed | 1969−1975 | D-class (RFD PB16) | |
D-28 | Unnamed | 1970−1972 | D-class (RFD PB16) | |
D-146 | Unnamed | 1970−1975 | D-class (RFD PB16) | |
D-150 | Unnamed | 1975−1976 | D-class (RFD PB16) | |
D-236 | Unnamed | 1975−1987 | D-class (Zodiac III) | |
D-225 | Unnamed | 1987 | D-class (Zodiac III) | |
D-349 | Unnamed | 1987−1995 | D-class (EA16) | |
D-341 | Unnamed | 1988 | D-class (Zodiac III) | |
D-368 | Douglas Cameron | 1988−1997 | D-class (EA16) | |
D-341 | Unnamed | 1989 | D-class (Zodiac III) | |
D-487 | Foresters London Pride | 1995−2005 | D-class (EA16) | |
D-527 | Ethel Royal | 1997−2007 | D-class (EA16) | |
D-633 | Pride of London Foresters | 2005−2014 | D-class (IB1) | |
D-682 | The Essex Freemason | 2007−2017 | D-class (IB1) | |
D-771 | William Henderson | 2014− | D-class (IB1) | |
D-818 | Len Thorne GM DFC | 2018− | D-class (IB1) | |
Op. No. [lower-alpha 2] | Name | In service [12] | Class | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
B-527 | Percy Garon (Civil Service) | 1976−1986 | Atlantic 21 | [6] [7] |
B-567 | Percy Garon II | 1986−2001 | Atlantic 21 | |
B-776 | Vic and Billie Whiffen | 2001−2015 | Atlantic 75 | |
B-755 | London's Anniversary 175 | 2015−2016 | Atlantic 75 | |
B-885 | Julia & Angus Wright | 2016− | Atlantic 85 | |
Op. No. [lower-alpha 2] | Name | In service [12] | Class | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
H-004 | Vera Ravine | 2004− | Hovercraft | [13] |
Tenby Lifeboat Station is a lifeboat station in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales that has been situated to the east of the town since 1852, three generations having been built; the original and updates in 1905 and 2005. The station currently houses two lifeboats.
Cromer Lifeboat Station is an RNLI station located in the town of Cromer in the English county of Norfolk. The station operates two lifeboats – one for inshore work and the other for offshore work.
The Mumbles Lifeboat Station opened in 1835 with a lifeboat that was funded and managed by Swansea Harbour Trustees and was known as Swansea Lifeboat Station. The station was taken over by the RNLI in 1863 and moved to Mumbles in 1866. The station only officially became The Mumbles Lifeboat Station in 1904.
Appledore Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Appledore, Devon in the United Kingdom. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1825 and the present station was opened in 2001. It operates a Tamar-class all-weather boat (AWB) and an Atlantic 85 B Class 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.
Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations for the sea around Land's End, Cornwall in the United Kingdom. The first lifeboat was stationed at Sennen Cove in 1853. Since 2009 it has operated a Tamar-class all weather boat (ALB) and a D-class (IB1) inshore lifeboat (ILB).
Rhyl Lifeboat Station is located in the North Wales town of Rhyl and is part of the RNLI. 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 boat (ALB) and an IB1 inshore lifeboat (ILB).
Pwllheli Lifeboat Station was first established by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1891 at a cost of £480. The station currently operates a Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat and a D-class (IB1) lifeboat.
Cardigan Lifeboat Station, at Poppit Sands, North Pembrokeshire, near Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales, is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat station opened in 1849. The station closed in 1932 but reopened in 1971 as an inshore lifeboat station.
Margate Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located in Margate in the English county of Kent. The station is over 160 years old. Its crews have earned a number of gallantry awards, including five silver and 1 bronze RNLI medals for bravery.
Bembridge Lifeboat Station is an RNLI station located in the village of Bembridge on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom.
Shoreham Harbour Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located in the town of Shoreham-by-Sea in the English county of West Sussex. It underwent extensive re-development in 2010 with a new purpose built boathall to accommodate its new Tamar-class all-weather lifeboat (AWB). It operates two lifeboats, the Tamar-class Enid Collett and the D-class (IB1) Inshore lifeboat Joan Woodland (D-784).
St Davids Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station. It was opened in 1869 and to date has been involved in saving over 360 lives at sea in more than 420 launches. The station operates both an all-weather (ALB) and an inshore (ILB) lifeboat.
Eastbourne Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat station in the town of Eastbourne in East Sussex. Founded two years before the RNLI was established, the station has operated continuously since 1822 and its lifeboats have been responsible for saving over 700 lives. There are two active lifeboat stations in Eastbourne, an all-weather station with the Trent-class 14-02 Esme Anderson at Sovereign Harbour and the D-class (IB1) The David H (D-876) at the inshore lifeboat station a couple of miles to the west at Fisherman's Green. An older lifeboat station, west of Eastbourne Pier, is now used as an RNLI museum.
New Brighton Lifeboat Station is located on Kings Parade in the town of New Brighton on the Wirral Peninsula in Merseyside. A lifeboat was first stationed at Magazines village by the Liverpool Dock Trustees in 1827. The station was transferred to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in 1863.
Barmouth Lifeboat Station is located in Barmouth, a town at the mouth of the Afon Mawddach river in Gwynedd, Wales. A lifeboat was first stationed here by the Royal National Institute for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS) in 1828.
Anstruther Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located in the town of Anstruther, Fife. The station has been in operation since 1865, although RNLI activity in the area dates back to 1832. The station houses the all-weather Mersey-class lifeboat 12-17 Kingdom of Fife and inshore D-class lifeboat Akira (D-802)
Blackpool Lifeboat Station is located in-between the North and Central Piers on the promenade in the town of Blackpool in Lancashire. A lifeboat was first stationed in Blackpool by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in 1864.
Fleetwood Lifeboat Station is located on The Esplanade at the port of Fleetwood, a Lancashire town at the north end of The Fylde, situated at the mouth of the River Wyre.
Clacton-on-Sea Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) station located in the town of Clacton-on-Sea in the county of Essex. A lifeboat was first stationed here by the RNLI in 1878.