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Whitby stops in its tracks to watch RNLI lifeboat pull.

Lifeboats News Release

Crowds cheered as the volunteer crew pulled the 103 year old lifeboat out of the museum today (Saturday 25 September.)

Whitby's current crew in front of the old rowing lifeboat "Robert & Ellen Robson'

RNLI/Ceri Oakes

Whitby's current crew in front of the old rowing lifeboat "Robert & Ellen Robson'
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The RNLI crew as well as the local coastguard took on the task of pulling the lifeboat by hand through the streets of Whitby to take her to a temporary home at Coates Marine. The lifeboat is usually on display at the museum but is moving out temporarily while the museum undergoes a major refurbishment.

Crowds gathered outside the museum as the task got underway and lined the streets as the lifeboat was pulled through the centre of town. The old rowing boat and the RNLI's only remaining pulling carriage was on display to the public who had the opportunity to meet the current volunteer crew. The charity's fundraisers were on hand to take donations.

The pull was led by former Coxswain Pete Thomson MBE who was also the curator of the museum before retiring recently. Before the pull began Mr Thomson was presented with a certificate and commemorative glass from the RNLI to thank him for his exceptional commitment in making the lifeboat museum what it is today.

The 103 year old lifeboat was the last ever rowing boat used on service by the RNLI in 1957, it will remain an integral feature of the refurbished lifeboat museum along with the other fantastic artefacts that tell the story of Whitby's rich lifesaving history.

For more information please contact Lifeboat Press Officer Ceri Oakes on 07813359428 or at [email protected]





Former coxswain and museum curator, Pete Thomson MBE, with his certificate of thanks from the RNLI.

RNLI/Ceri Oakes

Former coxswain and museum curator, Pete Thomson MBE, with his certificate of thanks from the RNLI.
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The 103 year old rowing lifeboat is pulled from the museum by RNLI volunteers and Whitby Coastguard crew.

RNLI/Ceri Oakes

The 103 year old rowing lifeboat is pulled from the museum by RNLI volunteers and Whitby Coastguard crew.
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The 103 year old rowing lifeboat is pulled from the museum by RNLI volunteers and Whitby Coastguard crew.

RNLI/Ceri Oakes

The 103 year old rowing lifeboat is pulled from the museum by RNLI volunteers and Whitby Coastguard crew.
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Station mechanic Richard Dowson from Whitby RNLI pulling the old Rubie class lifeboat through Whitby

RNLI/Ceri Oakes

Station mechanic Richard Dowson from Whitby RNLI pulling the old Rubie class lifeboat through Whitby
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Whitby RNLI fundraisers Rosie Jones and Ada Myers who were on hand to take donations

RNLI/Ceri Oakes

Whitby RNLI fundraisers Rosie Jones and Ada Myers who were on hand to take donations
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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Ceri Oakes
Lifeboat Press Officer, Whitby Lifeboat Station

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