This station was established in 1865 at the request of the local fishermen, who subscribed among themselves £60 towards the cost of the station. The Institution sent a 32’ pulling lifeboat with 10 oars, built out of a gift of £600 from a lady in Cheltenham.
In the early days there was an arrangement approved by the local committee whereby there were seven coxswains each with his own crew and all took their turn for services and exercises.
1832
Silver Medal awarded to coastguard K McCulloch for saving by boat the master and two seaman of the Sloop Vine when it struck the bar at Elie Harbour and was wrecked on 6 March.
1834
Gold Medal Bar awarded to coastguard Lt Henry E Randall and Silver Lifeboat to coastguard Kenneth McCulloch for rescuing the Master and six crew of the schooner Wanderer that was wrecked at Elie in a violent storm on 2 February 1833 (Lt Randall first won a gold in 1825 at Aberdeen for service to Devonan).
Silver Medals awarded to A Murray and J Mason, both coastguards, for saving by boat the master and four men of the Schooner John in difficulties in bad weather on 3 December 1833.
1865
Lifeboat house built on land given by Harbour Board.
1891
Water service provided.
1892
District Inspector reported that in consequence of the peculiar organisation of this station which had six coxswains and full crew for the boat, it was not practicable to appoint a paid bowman.
1894
Mortar was substituted for the rocket signal, the latter being considered dangerous to vessels lying in the harbour.
1897
Decided to remove the mortar and supply a handbell to summon the crew.
1899
There were five unpaid coxswains at this station and the men were willing for the number to be reduced to four.
1903
Discontinued the practice of having several coxswains and appointed a Coxswain Superintendent.
1904
New lifeboat house and slipway constructed at a cost of over £1,600.
1965
HRH The Duchess of Gloucester named the station’s new Oakley class lifeboat on 28 July. The lifeboat was a gift of Dr Nora Allan and named The Doctors in memory of her father and three brothers. Dr Allan’s father and two of her brothers were doctors.
The boathouse was adapted for the new Oakley class lifeboat, carriage and tractor.
Centenary Vellum sent to station.
1991
The boathouse was extended and modernised along with the slipway which was refurbished for the new Mersey class lifeboat.
Oakley class lifeboat withdrawn and replaced by a Mersey.
1995
Two-storey extension to the starboard side of the boathouse was constructed. This included improved crew facilities.
2003
Relief lifeboat D552 Global Marine was placed on service for 12 months evaluation on 21 May 2003.
2004
At the Operations Committee Meeting on 4 February 2004 and the Trustee Committee Meeting on 31 March 2004 the proposal to co-locate a D class ILB at Anstruther was discussed. The Trustee Committee resolved that a D class ILB be co-located at Anstruther.
2007
For services to the Institution, former Coxswain John Murray has been honoured by Her Majesty the Queen in the recent Birthday Honours: Member, Order of the British Empire (MBE).
MEDAL RECORD
Five Medals have been awarded to the men of Anstruther, one Gold and four Silver, the last being awarded in 1834.