Whitby Lifeboat Station

Welcome to pages I have devoted to Whitby Lifeboat Station, its lifeboats, its crew and coxswains both past and present.

With the help of my ISP www.Daily.co.uk who have generously provided a hosting package my lifeboat website is now well established at its own domain.

I have remodelled what was initially my homepage and split it into two pages, the second page contains a better introduction of the lifeboat station and can be found using the 'welcome' navigation element. However, before you continue to view the pages I would like to point out that perhaps the majority of images used to illustrate them are copyright of "Whitby Lifeboat Station and / or the RNLI". I am privileged to be able to present them here and would ask that you respect the photographic copyright, so that I am allowed permission to continue sharing them with you!

My website was judged to have met the criteria for to be awarded a 'special award' in conjunction with the Maritime Webring. Other sections of my website have earned their own distinctions, however being the recipient of this one is more important as it is a tangible element that my endeavours have met with some approval.

With 238 lifeboat stations located around the British Isles the RNLI must seek to raise much vital funding, in order to do so a number of fundraising initiatives remain in place. Each lifeboat station has its own fundraising scheme and a band of supporters always looking to host something in aid of their station. Nationally the RNLI has some very worthwhile schemes, each with their own unique attraction. It can be something as simple as the scheme to recycle inkjet cartridges, registering to receive a mobile phone text message whenever a station of your choosing is launched, or helping to raise money every time you search the web with Everyclickwhich has so far raised £2,824.09 . There are also numerous groups for lifeboat stations on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.

Could You Make Valuable Crew Member

Whitby, like most stations depends on having sufficient people willing to man its lifeboats, this means it is always willing to welcome new crew members. Considering becoming part of the lifeboat team is not something to be taken lightly. You must be at least 17 years old, medically fit and have excellent eyesight. You must have your own transport and you both live and work within a reasonable distance of the station. You must be 110% committed to being a crew member, being a volunteer you may find yourself regularly called out from your bed, places of work and your families at anytime of the day or night throughout the year come rain or shine. You will also be expected to attend weekly exercises and undertake further training, if applicable, both on station and at the Lifeboat College in Poole, Dorset. In return for your commitment, you will be rewarded with one of the most exciting and fulfilling voluntary jobs available. If you can meet all the criteria above and think you have what it takes to be a member of a lifeboat crew, then please e - mail or call the station.

The official dedication of the new lifeboat station and the naming of the new inshore lifeboat OEM Stone III occurred on Friday the 7th September 2007. The day began as a wonderfully warm sunny day which added to the occasion. HRH the Duchess of Kent officially opened the station heralding a new era for Whitby Lifeboat Station. The following link leads to a succession of of comprehensive gallery pages, I am proud to be able to share.

To complement the pages related to the official opening of the new station I have added seven gallery pages that present the work involved in the dismantling and removal of the old station built in 1909 (seen right). The pages begin with the dismantling of the old station and work through to the completion of the new lifeboat station, simply use the link in the old station photograph to access the gallery pages.

The former Upgang and Whitby lifeboat William Riley had its first major fundraising venture in 2008 following its complete restoration recreating the journey undertaken by the Tynemouth motor lifeboat "Henry Vernon" in 1914 to the wreck of the Rohilla, details of the fundraising event itself can be found on my William Riley fundraising page.

Last year heralded two new fundraising events comprising a 10k walk and a 15k route for the more adventurous, both named as Whitby Welly Walks aimed at raising some vital funds for our volunteer crew members, have a look at the fundraising efforts page for more information.

*** Update ***

TheWhitby Gazette published a short update on Wednesday 29 February in which it relayed this years fundraising venture had been cancelled. It was quite a shame as the initiative this year was to add a 21 mile walk from Scarborough to Whitby as well as a cycle venture, both scheduled for Saturday 21 April. Last year’s Welly Walk attracted around 150 people and raised around £6,000 for the RNLI, the feature can be seen on this website just in case it is moved from the Gazette website.

A service of remembrance was held last year to commemorate the 12 men who died in the 1861 lifeboat disaster, during a great storm in 1861 fabled to remain as one of the region's worst lifeboat disasters. Whitby's lifeboat capsized with the loss of all but one of the crew. I have added a page which details the service of remembrance as well as two gallery pages captured by Ceri Oakes, the Gazette staff photographer.

The Friends of Whitby Lifeboat (FOWL)

present an evening with the

ROYAL AIR FORCE SWING WING BAND

On Thursday the 10th May the Spa Pavilion, hosts and evening of fine entertainment with the Royal Air Force Swing Wing band. Formed in 1989, ‘Swing Wing’ concerts feature the melodies of a truly golden age in music, relive those wonderful tunes that span generations. The band is a coveted success and has appeared all over the UK, in venues ranging from theatres, concert halls to aircraft hangars and the evening is expected to be a very enjoyable evening. Any funds raised during the evening will be split equally between the Friends of Whitby Lifeboat (FOWLS) and the RAF Benevolent Fund, two worthy causes. Tickets are available from the lifeboat station and the lifeboat museum on Pier Road and are priced £10 per person, the following link leads to information about Longcross Constructiona very generous benefactor who has sponsored the evening, in the meantime please feel free to have a lok at one of the many YouTube videos related to the band.

The newest recruit to this website is a page presenting some of the stations services with videos bringing showcasing the exploits of the station volunteers, you get to see the action as they do, simply use the link below.

FLAG WEEKEND

Last years flag weekend was its usual action packed event and and a credit to those who spend the extensive time planning the two day event. My wife and I were out collecting during the weekend and found it as enjoyable as 2010. The weekend is one of the highlights of the year, with stalls around the bandstand close to the lifeboat museum all hoping to raise vital funds for the RNLI. The practical displays involve both the all weather lifeboat and the inshore lifeboat as well as those from neighbouring lifeboat stations.

This years flag weekend will take place On the 30th June & 1st July at the Bandstand all the usual attractions.

Last April the tragedy of the SS Rohilla's loss was chosen to be included in an episode of this years BBC Coast series. The lifeboat station was used for the first of the filming which was the most logical choice given how instrumental Whitby lifeboat crews were making repeated attempts to rescue those stranded aboard the wrecked ship. I am planning to add more information and some gallery pages but am committed to waiting until the episode has aired, sometime with the next few months. In the meantime the following page is from what I submitted to the Whitby gazette as to the Rohilla featuring on the Coast series.

*** News ***

Man Dies After Cliff Plunge

Published: Friday 16 March

A man has died after falling down the cliff at Saltwick Nab. Whitby RNLI's inshore lifeboat, the coastguard and the RAF’s Sea King helicopter all responded to the incident which occurred at around 4pm on Friday evening.

Whitby coastguard’s Nathan Brown said: “We have had a male who has fallen off the cliffs.

“People saw him, there were some witnesses at the bottom.

“We have had to lift him out, it was awkward and needed the help of all of us.”

Courtesy The Whitby Gazette

The latest call out for the lifeboat  was on the 19th May to the aid of the charter boat Chieftain who was in danger of running onto Whitby Rock. The all weather lifeboat proceeded to the vessel in a 3 -4 metre swell.
On approach the casualty was anchored awaiting assistance. The lifeboat sustained some damage in its attempts to establish a drogue and tow line, set about towing the crippled vessel into deeper water. At this point the search and rescue helicopter was on station. Once a secure line was established the vessel was towed into the harbour with the assistance of the inshore lifeboat. Once the casualty was secure alongside the fish pier the lifeboat was refuelled and ready for service. The damage will undoubtedly be something for next week. As ever I would expect the owners of the casualty to show its gratitude to the crew of Whitby Lifeboats!

I could not complete this website without including the station mascot Penny, owned by the full time mechanic Glenn. She is a very active dog and loves nothing more than bringing you anything she can carry, never let it be known you have not been warned....

Please feel free to use the search facility below to search for something throughout the entire lifeboat website.

If you have any questions, queries or suggestions attributed to my Whitby Lifeboat Station website please do not hesitate to contact me using the link below, feedback is often welcome.

Hosting generously provided by www.Daily.co.uk

Copyright © Colin Brittain 2012 All Rights Reserved