History

The RNLI has used Cowes shipyards since 1913 when SE Saunders was contracted to build a number of pulling and sailing lifeboats 

The site of the present Inshore Lifeboat Centre was first used by the RNLI in 1930 as stores and offices for overseers responsible for lifeboats being built at the yards of JS White and Groves and Gutteridge in Cowes, and William Osborne at Littlehampton. The RNLI's timber stock for building and repairing lifeboats also used to be on the site.

Inflatable D class lifeboats were first introduced into the RNLI fleet in June 1963 to cope with a growing number of people using the sea for leisure purposes that get into difficulty close to the shore.

By 1967, the yard had begun repair and maintenance work for inflatable lifeboats and outboard engines. More buildings and land have been acquired as the fleet of inshore lifeboats has increased.

In 1972 the Atlantic 21 was produced at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre and in 1993 work commenced on the Atlantic 75.  The larger and more powerful Atlantic 85 was introduced to the fleet in 2005. A purpose-built outboard engine workshop was built in 2004 where engines are serviced and inversion-proofed, a facility envied by many who visit the site.

In 2008 the Centre expanded to accommodate a new ‘lean manufacturing' assembly line to speed up production, increase capacity and make it more efficient, whilst allowing continuous improvement.