Withernsea History

1862 The RNLI established a lifeboat station due to the large amount of shipping which entered and left the River Humber. A boathouse was built near the lighthouse.

1881 A new boathouse was built in Seaside Road in the middle of the town.

1913 The station closed when a motor lifeboat was placed at Humber; the lifeboat was transferred to a new station at Easington, which was much nearer to area where the majority of wrecks occurred.

1974 An inshore lifeboat (ILB) station was established with a D class lifeboat, which was kept on the seafront at the south end of the town.

Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Crew Members Albert Usher and Terence Dawson for rescuing a bather.

1980 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Helmsman Graham White for rescuing three men from a diving boat. Crew Members Graham Newdick and Leon Wallis were each awarded the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum.

1983 A new boathouse was built for the D class lifeboat.

1990 On 8 January 1989 a Boeing 737 passenger aircraft crashed onto the M1 motorway embankment at Kegworth with 126 people on board. For over three hours the Honorary Secretary and crew members assisted other rescue services to recover many dead and injured people from the aircraft. The crew were in a minibus on the M1 returning home after visiting the London Boat Show when the aircraft crashed. A special framed Chairman's certificate was awarded to the lifeboat station in recognition of the services carried out.

1991 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Helmsman John Hartland for a service to the yacht Frangipani, which was in difficulties in a near gale and rough seas. Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Crew Members Paul Theobald and Paul Haynes Baker.

1998 A new boathouse was completed in March for the D class, providing improved crew facilities.

1999 The D class lifeboat, D-541 Brian and Margaret Wiggins, was placed on service on 5 January.

Station honours

At Withernsea lifeboat station the following awards have been made:

Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 6

Bronze Medal 2