R.N.L.I. Exmouth, History

Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Exmouth

Exmouth lifeboat station was first established in 1803 with its first lifeboat being built by Greathead.

Apparently the station ceased to exist for some years until it was re-established by the Institution in 1858.

Six RNLI medals for gallantry have been awarded, five Silver and one Bronze the last being voted in 1954.

1966. A D class inflatable lifeboat was sent to the station in May 1966.

1985. The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to Crew Member Geoffrey Ingram in recognition of his meritorious action on 7 April 1985 when he entered the sea from the lifeboat Caroline Finch to give support to two girls who were in considerable difficulty after a speedboat sank one and a half miles east by south of Exmouth.

Sept 1996. Dedication & naming of the new self-righting £1.3 million Lifeboat "Forward Birmingham" by the President of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution HRH the Duke of kent. When its saving lives be very thankful to the Coxswain and all of the brave lifeboat men, and Charles Tate Chairman of the Exmouth branch of the RNLI. Special thanks to Vic Cocker, chief Exec. of the Seven Trent plc water co. and Chairman of the Forward Birmingham Lifeboat Campaign and most of all to the people of Birmingham, who paid over £600,000, who also helped pay for the previous boat.

1997. D Class Lifeboat (funded by the clubs of the River Exe) The inshore Lifeboat Station on the Seafront, opposite the Harbour view cafe, which includes a museum and souvenir shop. The boat is made of nylon coated with neoprene / hypalon. Crew 2 / 3 Launched from a trailer. Length 4.9m (16ft) Speed 20 knots, Endurance - 3 hours at maximum speed. Introduced to Exmouth in 1997.

The headquarters while building work is going on around the docks by the car park opposite "The Beach Hotel" public House near The Harbour.

See photos > Helicopter with Exmouth's Lifeboat, on the R.N.L.I Lifeboat Open Day
Saturday 30th June 2001

Coxswain: Tim Mock

Sept. 1996. Dedication & naming of the new self-righting £1.3 million Lifeboat "Forward Birmingham" by the President of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution HRH the Duke of Kent.

(webmaster adds) When its saving lives be very thankful to the Coxswain Tim Mock and all of the brave lifeboat men and women, and Charles Tate Chairman of the Exmouth branch of the RNLI. Special thanks to Vic Cocker, chief Exec. of the Seven Trent plc water co. and Chairman of the Forward Birmingham Lifeboat Campaign and most of all to the people of Birmingham, who paid over £600,000, who also helped pay for the previous boat.

See photos > Helicopter with Exmouth's Lifeboat, on the R.N.L.I Lifeboat Open Day
Saturday 30th June 2001

Thank you to Frank Doyle who retired in May 2003 as Hon Secretary, his successor is Kevin Riley as Lifeboat Operations Manager (new title).