Yarmouth History
The first lifeboats on the Isle of Wight were established in 1869 at Brighstone and Brook, and subsequently at Bembridge, Ryde, Totland and Atherfield. Many rescues took place and awards were made.
1924 The lifeboat station was established at Yarmouth after it moved from Totland Bay. A motor lifeboat was kept at moorings in the harbour.
1936 Yarmouth had the first lifeboat (ON 787) to be fitted with a diesel engine.
1939 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain Walter O Cotton for the rescue of the 12 crew from a trawler that had run ashore off Brighstone.
1963 The Earl and Countess Howe lifeboat (ON-968) was the first lifeboat to be fitted with radar.
1964 A D class inshore lifeboat was added to the existing station in July.
1966 Framed Letters of Thanks were awarded to Dr Harrison Broadbent and ILB Crew Members Christopher and John Cook in recognition of their attempt to save the life of a man who had fallen over the cliff at Scratchells Bay on 10 April.
1976 A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic David Kennett for the rescue of the five crew from the yacht Chayka of Ardgour in September 1975. The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to each of the six lifeboat crew members. Coxswain/Mechanic David Kennett also received the Maud Smith Award for the bravest act of life-saving carried out by a member of a lifeboat crew in 1975.
The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Acting Coxswain John C Cook for the rescue of the sole occupant of the yacht Snowgoose in October.
1977 The Earl and Countess Howe lifeboat was replaced by the Arun class lifeboat Joy and John Wade.
1978 In July, in a gale force wind and a rough sea, Crew Members Stuart Pimm and Richard Downes transferred a line in the Y class lifeboat to the semi-submerged yacht Turpina which was then taken in tow. They were each awarded a Framed Letter of Thanks. Letters of Appreciation were sent to Coxswain/Mechanic David Kennett and the other members of the crew.
The D class lifeboat was permanently withdrawn from station.
1990 After a joint service with Swanage lifeboat in October 1989, a Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain David Kennett when two crew members were rescued from the RoRo cargo vessel, Al Kwather 1. Framed Letters of Thanks were awarded to Assistant Mechanic Brian Miskin and Crew Member Joseph Lester and Letters of Appreciation were sent to the remaining six crew.
1994 The Customs House was refurbished, providing crew facilities and a souvenir sales outlet.
2000 A new alongside berth was completed.
2001 A Severn class lifeboat, Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer), arrived at the station.
Station honours
At Yarmouth lifeboat station the following awards have been made:
Framed Letter of Thanks 7
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 7
Bronze Medal 2
Silver Medal 1
