
Torbay RNLI Deputy Coxswain visits Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham is always worth a visit for the many historic ships, submarines and maritime artifacts from past centuries, which are on display there.
The Dockyard is also home to some special retired RNLI vessels, including Torbay RNLI's ‘Edward Bridges’ 54-03, an Arun Class lifeboat, which served from 1975 to 1995, and was awarded the RNLI’s Gold Medal for the rescue of the ten crew from the ‘Lyrma of Panama’ on 6th December 1976. The dockyard is running a special RNLI exhibition for the charity’s 200th anniversary over the summer, ending on 1st September.
Last month, James Hoare, Deputy Coxswain from Torbay Lifeboat visited the dockyard specifically to see the ‘Edward Bridges’ and made comparisons with our current Severn Class All-Weather Lifeboat the ‘Alec and Christina Dykes’.
James explains some of his observations and his personal reasons for making the trip:
“In 2007 I joined the crew at Torbay Lifeboat Station on both the Inshore and All-Weather Lifeboats. As I wanted to progress as a crew member, I passed out as a Navigator on the All-Weather Boat in 2009 and went on to become a Helm of the Inshore Lifeboat in 2010. Then, with a lot more training and after plenty of experience as a unit Commander, I passed out as a Deputy Coxswain in 2018!
“So where did my journey all really begin…….
“In 1993 and as a young boy I was fortunate enough to be taken on a tour of Torbay Lifeboat and Station during an educational visit with the Cub Scouts. The Lifeboat then was 54-03 (Civil Service No. 37), or more affectionately the ‘Edward Bridges’.
“The ‘Edward Bridges’ Lifeboat is personally very special to me for a few important reasons:
(1) She was integral to Torbay Lifeboat’s famous Gold Medal job rescuing crew members from the motor vessel ‘Lyrma’ in December 1976.
(2) She was the last wooden lifeboat ever made before the RNLI moved over to more modern construction materials.
(3) But most importantly, she was the reason I wanted to join the RNLI and become a crew member of Torbay Lifeboat Station.
“’Edward Bridges’ was replaced in 1995 with the ‘Marie Winston’ another Arun Class Lifeboat, but this time made from GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) instead of wood. She in turn, was replaced in 2001 by the ‘Alex and Christina Dykes’, a Severn Class Lifeboat and the current All-Weather Boat on Station, of which I am incredibly proud and honoured to be one of the Volunteer Deputy Coxswains.
“The ‘Edward Bridges’ is over 49 years old. And she still survives. She is now proudly displayed in Chatham, Kent at The Historic Dockyard Chatham. For many years I have wanted to visit, to see the boat that started it all off for me, the boat that whet my appetite and the boat that made me want to join and become a Coxswain.
“I hadn’t been back aboard the ‘Edward Bridges’ since I was a child, over 29 years ago. Nor had I even seen her at her moorings outside the Station in Torbay since at least February 1995. And I’m not going to lie; compared to the modern boats of today, the internal layout and the technology is very old fashioned, BUT the hull shape, deck area and super structure feel very familiar - not too dissimilar to the Severn class of today!
“Visiting back aboard and looking around, I couldn’t help feeling nostalgic - and surreal at the same time. I was re-living my youth, that first visit, the first time I had been on a Lifeboat and surrounded by the very distinctive Orange and Blue. I am so glad that I have been back aboard her and will definitely visit again.
“The Historic Dockyard Chatham itself is steeped in history and hosts many exhibitions including for Naval Vessels, Submarines, Sail Training, Boat Building and Ropemaking, to name but a few. But for me, the highlight was of course the RNLI exhibition! The Dockyard has a whole area designated to just RNLI and Lifeboats!
“In 2024 the RNLI has been celebrating its 200th Anniversary and to recognise this, The Historic Dockyard Museum Chatham are featuring a special exhibition for the RNLI, running through to 1st September 2024, which includes some fab artifacts that visitors would only get to see once in a Blue Moon!
“It was a fantastic day out - and probably needed two days - but if ever there was an extra reason to visit, it’s now. If you get the chance over the next four weeks, it’s worth it. And maybe it will inspire our next generation of Lifeboat Crew Members, Helms… or even a Coxswain, in the same way it did me.
“I would like to thank all the kind staff at the museum, not only were they knowledgeable but they couldn’t do enough to make our visit feel special.”
James Hoare, Deputy Coxswain Torbay Lifeboat
For more details about The Historic Dockyard Chatham and its RNLI exhibition, visit https://thedockyard.co.uk/events/rnli-200-the-exhibition/
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, Twitter 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.