
Hunstanton boathouse packed for double 200th anniversary celebration
Supporters joined crew past and present to celebrate two centuries of saving lives at sea off the Norfolk coast.
On 28 June, the historic boathouse tucked behind the sand dunes hosted a special evening to celebrate 200 years of saving lives at sea.
Supporters heard how the first crews went to sea in wooden rowing boats, which were pulled across the beach by horses.
Today's volunteers operate a fast inshore lifeboat and a search and rescue hovercraft, kitted out with state-of-the-art lifesaving equipment.
Hunstanton RNLI chairman Charles le Strange Meakin led a presentation on the station's proud history leading up to the present day.
As well as heroic rescues, the trail-blazing station has notched up notable firsts, including trialling the first tractor to launch its vessels.
Hunstanton also pioneered the use of the hovercraft, while its crew includes the RNLI's first female pilot and first female 'hover commander.
Its early, primitive boats saved many lives in the station's early years, but as activity dwindled between the wars, it was mothballed in 1931.
It re-opened after a 48-year hiatus, as tourism boomed on the Norfolk coast.
Alan Clarke, who became its first modern-day helm, told how a new crew was formed to operate Hunstanton's first inshore lifeboat.
In a video interview, the decorated volunteer described some of their many rescues - including a runaway speedboat with a dog at the wheel and three men adrift in a motorised bathtub.
Then Alan turned to what makes Hunstanton unique - ranging from long hauls across the beach to launch and recover its craft at low tide, to the distances the crew must sometimes travel in all weathers in an open boat or hovercraft to cover their large 'patch', which consists of the 100 square miles of The Wash.
RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Rigil Kent traced the history of the station's lifeboats, through to today's Atlantic 85 Spirit of West Norfolk.
Rigil highlighted how concerns about the increasing numbers of people being cut off by the tide around Brancaster between 2018 and 2021, leading to soaring numbers of launches, had led the station to step up its efforts to educate people about the dangers. Call-outs have fallen from 56 in 2020, to 37 in 2022 and 2023.
Kate Craven, the station's visits officer and water safety lead, told how outreach volunteers give safety talks at schools and colleges, as well as showing school parties around the station, which is open to the public throughout the summer.
Treasurer Bob McDonald outlined the cost of equipping and training the crew, before explaining how generous supporters along with those who leave legacies help keep the people on 'the big orange things' ready to respond 24/7, 365 days of the year.
Volunteers from the station's souvenir shop and the Hunstanton and West Norfolk Lifeboat Guild spoke of their fundraising work.
Then a pager sounded, before shore and sea-going crew kitted up for a dummy 'shout', with members explaining their different roles when the call comes to launch.
Crew stalwart Andrew Craven was awarded an official Certificate of Thanks from the RNLI by Lifeboat Operations Manager Rigil Kent, in recognition of his dedication to the station.
After crew members recited the RNLI's 200th anniversary pledge followed by a rousing round of applause, it was time for all to assemble at the Old Town Beach Cafe for a celebratory buffet.
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
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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.