All change at Appledore RNLI – set for another 200 plus years.

Due to the extremely dangerous Bideford Bar and the high number of shipwrecks in the area, on 28th February 1825 the very first RNLI working lifeboat within the Institution, covering UK and Ireland, aptly named Lifeboat No 1 – The Volunteer, arrived in Appledore. Since then, thousands of rescues have taken place and hundreds of lives have been saved.

Although vast developments in the lifeboats and kit used by the charity’s lifesavers can be seen, from the early oar-powered vessels to today’s technology-packed boats, two things have remained the same – the charity’s dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public, via donations, fundraising and legacies, which have funded the service for the past two centuries.

In the Spring the crew were sad to see the retirement of RNLI Bronze Medal award crew member Andrew Hallett after over 40 years of voluntary service, the full-time coxswain Martin Cox after 47 years, and full-time mechanic Owen Atkinson after 33 years, though they are delighted Owen remains as a volunteer. Together their experience with the RNLI in Appledore equates to over 120 years. Both with around 14 years volunteering with the station, the new Coxswain, Simon McCathy took over seamlessly on Martin’s retirement and new mechanic, Mark Williams, soon after.

2025 turned out the busiest for many years, not only with all the celebrations, culminating in November with a private visit from the RNLI President HRH The Duke of Kent, but with an exceptionally high number of emergency shouts, 78 to date (9/12/25) when latterly the annual average has been around 63.

Not only has there been a change of senior crew, the new year will see a complete change of lifeboats at Appledore. Following a detailed review of RNLI operations in the South West, including scrutiny of all statistics going back years, it is obvious that the type of rescues carried out on the North Devon coast has changed significantly. The way people use the sea is changing all the time and because of this the RNLI is adapting to make sure it has the right lifeboats in the right locations.

The Tamar class all weather lifeboat will be replaced with a more modern, faster, and more manoeuvrable Shannon class all weather lifeboat, which can operate in shallower water, meaning it can get out over the Bar easier and safer at low tides with considerably less tidal restrictions. Appledore has also been using its boarding boat for the increasing number of estuary-based shouts due to its shallower draft than the station’s Atlantic 85. However, the boarding boat is not a fully equipped D class lifeboat. Therefore, the Atlantic 85 will be replaced by a fully equipped D Class which will cover inshore and estuary bases incidents.

Bob Meller, Appledore’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, says of the changes: ‘Our Tamar and Atlantic class lifeboats have served us very well over the years, and we will be sad to see them leave, however we understand and support the changes that will be coming along in 2026 and look forward in continuing to save lives at sea.’

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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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.