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, or registering to receive a mobile phone text message whenever a station of your choosing is launched. There are also numerous groups for lifeboat stations on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.

RNLI Fundraising Song

Last Christmas I became aware of a the song  "Tragedy - Nine Lies" advertised via Facebook released to help raise funds for the RNLI. Given how we are bombarded with Christmas 'specials' from most of the major artists I would like to think that this year the Tragedy Nine Lies is something unique, something special and worthy of buying. Granted it is a Rock / Pop format and possibly not most peoples first type of genre, but I hope like me that you will consider a change from your normal type of music in favour of supporting this one off charity song. The song can be downloaded from most of the well known facilities such as those listed below.

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.

I am fortunate enough to be given permission to host a page presenting some of the stations services with videos showcasing the exploits of the station volunteers, you get to see the action as they do. Use the link below to view action from a service to the aid of the charter boat Chieftain who was in danger of running onto Whitby Rock.

BBC Coast 2012

Now that the edition of the BBC Coast which features the wreck of the hospital ship HMHS Rohilla has aired I have chosen to have a link from my YouTube presence below. It was a time consuming affair as the primary contact which led up to the two day's filming in September. It was a little disappointing that such a huge piece of Whitby's maritime heritage was not permitted more air time, however given the time allowed the BBC has done a good job of telling the tragic loss of the Rohilla.

I wrote an article for the "The Journal" a newspaper from Tyneside recalling the tragic loss of the Rohilla and the exploits of the Tynemouth motor lifeboat Henry Vernon, the article has been reproduced online although without the illustrations the newspaper carried.

News

I am fortunate to be one of the members of the Rohilla Centenary Team, a small steering group charged with plans to mark the centenary of the Rohilla's loss in 2014. The plans we have in place are looking quite good and will allow us to mark what is undoubtedly Whitby's greatest maritime disaster. I have created a website specifically dedicated for the Centenary Commemorations, which outline the plans we have at the moment, although still over a year away it is surprising just how quick the time is flying by. Personal invitations are being sent out to those on our contact list, however it is entirely possible that we might miss anyone whom we are not yet familiar with. We are particularly interested in hearing from descendants of those who took part, for example: -

• The Rohilla crew and passengers, including St. John Ambulance Brigade and medical staff.
• Lifeboat families from Whitby, Upgang, Tynemouth, Teesmouth and Scarborough Lifeboat Stations.
• Residents at Staithes and Skinningrove who assisted with the launch of the William Riley.
• Whitby residents who helped launch the lifeboats.
• Coastguards and individuals who were instrumental throughout the many rescue efforts.

We would be happy to hear from anyone who would like to be present in 2014 to help commemorate the tragedy that befell the hospital ship Rohilla and the historic rescue attempts, please use the link below to access our new website.

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