Falmouth's lifeboats
Falmouth currently has two lifeboats operating at the station: a Shannon class all-weather lifeboat and a B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat. The team of lifeboat volunteers train and work hard to make sure they are ready to launch when the call for help comes in.
Learn more about the two lifeboats below.
Decibel Too
Decibel Too was funded by a gift left in the will of Richard Coleman and administered by his friend Tony Vlasto and the RNLI City of London Committee. Richard was a keen yachtsman and made many significant solo voyages on his 18 ft Hillyard designed and built sloop, DECIBEL. He also served in the Royal Navy and had a profound appreciation of the valuable work of the RNLI.
Decibel Too replaces the Severn class all-weather lifeboat Richard Cox Scott which served the station for 23 years. Richard Cox Scott was named by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 1 May 2002. Having reached the end of its operational life, the lifeboat was retired on 25 January 2025 and was replaced by the relief Shannon George and Frances Phelon until the station's new lifeboat was delivered.
Decibel Too arrived in Falmouth on Friday 27 June and placed on service at 11am on Sunday 29 June.
The Shannon class lifeboat has a crew of six and an operating speed of 25 knots with a range of 250 nautical miles and can reach casualties fast in calm or rough seas.
Robina Nixon Chard
Falmouth's current Atlantic 85, Robina Nixon Chard, joined the station in 2019.
In 2023, the inshore lifeboat was launched 88 times.
When it comes to racing to the scene, the B class Atlantic 85 lifeboat is one of the fastest in the fleet; with a top speed of 35 knots powered by two 115hp 4-stroke engines.