St Bees History

1970 The RNLI established an inshore lifeboat (ILB) station with a D class lifeboat. The ILB was kept in a boathouse near the beach south of St Bees Head.

1978  A new boathouse was built on the same site at no cost to the RNLI.

1982 Framed Letters of Thanks were presented to Crew Members Ian McDowell and Malcolm Reid when they swam from the shore in a gale and a rough sea to the yacht Ruffian stranded on a rocky outcrop about 200 yards from the beach to rescue two men and a boy on 29 August.

1985 The boathouse was extended for a larger C class lifeboat and provided improved crew facilities. The D class lifeboat was withdrawn and replaced with a C class lifeboat in September.

1993 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Senior Helmsman Ian McDowell for rescuing two crew from the fishing vessel Coeur De Lion on 31 July. The fishing vessel was stranded on an isolated outcrop of rocks and, shortly after the survivors were taken off, the vessel broke up. Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Helmsman Alastair Graham and to Crew Members Marcus Clarkson and Paul McDowell for their courage and determination throughout this service.

1994 The Ralph Glister Award for the most meritorious service carried out by an ILB in 1993 was awarded to Helmsman Ian McDowell and Helmsman Alastair Graham and Crew Members Marcus Clarkson and Paul McDowell for the service on 31 July 1993.

1995 A new boathouse was built on a new site opposite the old boathouse to house the new B class Atlantic 75 lifeboat and provide a mechanic's store, souvenir sales outlet and improved crew facilities. HRH The Duchess of Kent opened the new boathouse on 10 October.

The C class lifeboat was withdrawn and replaced by a B class lifeboat. The Atlantic 75 lifeboat, B-719 Percy Henry Patmore MBE MM was placed on service on 14 December.

Station honours

At St Bees lifeboat station the following awards have been made:

Framed Letter of Thanks 2
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 3
Bronze Medal 1