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.
George and Frances Phelon
George and Frances Phelon was placed on service as the station's temporary all-weather lifeboat on 25 January 2025 until the station's own Shannon class lifeboat's build has been completed later in 2025.
The Shannon replaces the Severn class all-weather lifeboat Richard Cox Scott which served the station for 23 years. Having reached the end of its operational life, the lifeboat was retired on 25 January 2025. Richard Cox Scott was named by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 1 May 2002.
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.