Eyemouth History

1876  The RNLI established a lifeboat station and a boathouse was built on the East Pier with a curved slipway to the harbour entrance.

1880 The lifeboat capsized on exercise on 15 January without the loss of life.

1909  A new boathouse and slipway were built so the lifeboat could launch directly into the river at the harbour entrance.

1917 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain W Miller for a service to the Norwegian steamer Livlig. Seven men were rescued from the rigging.

1937 The station’s first motor lifeboat arrived at the station.

1963 The station temporarily closed in August for harbour works.

1964 The station re-opened on 17 November and the lifeboat was placed afloat on moorings on the south side of the harbour.

1976 A Centenary Vellum was awarded to the station.

1983 A Framed Letter of Thanks was awarded to Coxswain A Dougal, Second Coxswain J Aitchison, Second Coxswain/Mechanic J Tarvit, Acting Assistant Mechanic J Dougal and Crew Members A Redden, J Buchan, J Purves, I Dougal for rescuing the three crew from the trawler Hatcliffe. The service lasted nearly eight hours.

1991 A Silver Medal was awarded to Acting Coxswain/Assistant Mechanic James A Dougal and Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Crew Members John Buchan, David Collin, George Walker, Joseph Walker, Robert Walker and Alister Crombie. Two divers in difficulties north west of the Ebb Carr Rocks were rescued on 6 October 1990 in hurricane force winds and 30–35ft seas breaking over rocky outcrops. The Maud Smith Award for the bravest act of lifesaving in 1990 was made to Acting Coxswain James Dougal for this service.

1992 A new shore facility was built on Gunsgreen Quay providing a training room, crew facilities, fuel store and general purpose store.

1993 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Coxswain John Johnson when the lifeboat rescued the three crew of the pilot launch Norman Forster on 17 October 1992.

1996 The station’s new Trent class lifeboat was placed on service on 31 March.

1999  A new berth was completed in March.

2007 Former coxswain John Johnston was awarded the title of MBE in the New Year Honours List.

Station honours

At Eyemouth lifeboat station the following awards have been made:

Framed Letter of Thanks

Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 7

Bronze Medal 1

Silver Medal 1