Atlantic College was one of the nine inshore rescue boat stations established experimentally by the RNLI in 1963. The rescue boats were manned by the members of the staff and pupils of the College. It was not until 1973 that the RNLI sent Atlantic College their first official lifeboat, an Atlantic 21. Prior to that the college had operated it’s own boats, with expenses paid by the RNLI.
Experimental work on the development of fast rescue boats for the RNLI has been carried out over the years at Atlantic College under the supervision of Rear Admiral Desmond Hoare, the Headmaster. He was the pioneer of the present Atlantic 21 class lifeboat that was named after the college.
1968
Letters of Appreciation, signed by the Secretary, sent to G Unger, W de Vogel and P Allen in recognition of their services on 11 November when four men were rescued from the wreck of the dredger Steepholm.
1969
The first female coxswain to be accepted as qualified by RNLI was Elizabeth Hostvedt, aged 18, from Norway.
Rear Admiral Hoare appointed to Committee of Management of the RNLI.
1971
First recorded service at any station involving a female crew member. Miss Penelope M Sutton was a member of the crew when on 20 May the IRB B.3, was launched to investigate a Swedish motor cruiser, reported to be at anchor and flying a distress signal. The incident was a false alarm, as the courtesy Red Ensign flown forward of the cruiser had been misinterpreted.
1973
Atlantic 21 class lifeboat sent to station.
1983
On 6 May the United States Ambassador, The Hon. John J Louis Jnr, attended the naming ceremony of the station’s new lifeboat, B544. The Atlantic 21 class lifeboat, which was named the American Ambassador, was provided from donations of Americans in Britain and the United States, following the American British Lifeboat Appeal. Prior to the naming ceremony Rear Admiral Desmond Hoare, the founding headmaster of the college, unveiled a plaque to officially open the recently constructed boathouse.
1988
Rear Admiral Hoare died.
1993
Repair work was carried out to the concrete slipway that was found to be deteriorating.
1994
Work has been carried out on the extension to the slipway to allow improved launch and recovery of the lifeboat.
1996
The previous boathouse was of insufficient size to house an Atlantic 75 class lifeboat and launching vehicle. The works involved in taking over the area previously used by the College as a workshop and engine shop to allow sufficient room for lifeboat and launching vehicle, plus the provision of improved crew facilities and were completed in April.
2000
A new Atlantic 75 lifeboat, B763, Colin James Daniel was placed on service on 1 March.
Alterations to sea wall completed.
2002
Following the visit on 3 September 2001 by the Coast Review delegation, led by Commodore R C Hastie, it was agreed by the Search and Rescue Committee on 6 February 2002 and resolved by the Executive Committee at their meeting on 10 April 2002 that there be no change to the lifeboat cover provided at Atlantic College Lifeboat Station.
2007
Following the visit on Monday 15 January 2007 by the Coast Review delegation, led by Rear Admiral John Tolhurst, it was agreed by the Operations Committee on 8 March 2007 and resolved by the Trustee Committee at their meeting on 4 April 2007 that there be no change to the lifeboat cover provided at Atlantic College Lifeboat Station.
2012
Following the visit on Monday 23 January 2012 by the Coast Review delegation, again led by Rear Admiral John Tolhurst, it was agreed by the Op’s Committee on 21 March 2012 and resolved by the Trustee Board at their meeting on 4 April 2012, that Atlantic College would no longer provide 24/7 lifeboat coverage and that alternative arrangements involving lifeguard training and support for RNLI lifeguard units would be explored. These alternative arrangements would be put into place over the next 18 months.