Our overnight stay in the Royal Station Hotel, Carnforth was a lot better than the night before. We were suitably rested and well fed ready for our final day on the North West coast. The sun had come out and we were ready for a good day.
Morecambe Lifeboat Station
Morecambe is a large and popular seaside town in the north of Lancashire overlooking the vast Morecambe bay. Infamous for fast tides, Morecambe Bay has seen its fair share of tragedy over the years. There are two boathouses as part of the Morecambe Lifeboat Station. We had arranged to meet crew member Rachel at the ILB station located on the promenade. Established in 1966 to house the Inshore Lifeboats, the current boathouse was completed in 1998 to provide improved crew facilities. Their D-Class boat can be launched from several locations and a Landrover is available as a launch vehicle. At the time of our visit they had a relief D-Class, Super G II (D-776) and their own boat was due back on station the day after our visit after some renovation at the ILC in Poole.
We had a fantastic chat with crew members Rachel and Thomas and launch vehicle driver Richard. In particular we discussed the harrowing loss of 21 Chinese Cockle Pickers to the tide in 2004 to which there is a memorial to them on the promenade. We leaned that some of their vehicles remain in the bay buried in the sand and mud.
It was this tragedy and several others that prompted the introduction of the first RNLI Hovercraft in the country to be based at Morecambe. Initially housed in a temporary building, Hovercraft H-002, the Hurley Flyer, moved to a new purpose built home in 2009. It was to this boathouse that we headed next.
Not only was the Hurley Flyer the first Hovercraft deployed in the UK but it remains the only Hovercraft that is launched from a custom designed lorry. This gives the crew flexibility to launch from several locations along the bay. Out of the 7 operational Hovercraft in the fleet we have now seen 3 of the station allocated vessels and 2 relief. This one, at Morecambe, is truly unique though. Thomas was very happy to allow us to get on board and have photos taken.
We are so grateful to Rachel, Thomas and Richard for taking time out of their Monday morning to show us around both stations. A very interesting visit.
Fleetwood Lifeboat Station
Just over an hour down the coast is the town of Fleetwood. Sitting at the mouth of the River Wyre on the northern tip of “The Fylde”, Fleetwood was once a deep sea fishing port and ferry port serving the Isle of Man.
The Lifeboat Station was established in the town in 1859. The current boathouse was completed in 2005 and is home to their D-Class, Harbet (D-853) which is launched into the river using a Davit. They also have a moored Shannon Class Kenneth James Pierpoint (13-14).
We met with the lovely volunteers in the shop who kindly took some photos for us. Unfortunately we were unable to meet any crew and see the boats.
Blackpool Lifeboat Station
Everyone knows where Blackpool is, right? The Vegas of the North and a very popular seaside holiday destination. At this time of year it is gearing up for its famous winter illuminations. The town was busy and after finding a parking space we headed to the station.
Located in the shadow of the Blackpool Tower, the impressive Lifeboat Station was built in 1998. The station was established in 1864 and the original boathouse still stands in Lytham Road. The shop was busy and attracts a significant passing trade due to its location.
Here we were met by Steven, the station LPO and Chair of the Management Group. He, together with Launch Authority, Pat gave us a tour of the station and the boats. There was a huge clean up ongoing when we arrived due to Storm Ashley the day before. The doors to the station were boarded to prevent significant flooding and sand was being cleared from around the station.
Blackpool is one of two stations that have three inshore lifeboats, Southend-on-Sea being the other. They have an Atlantic 85, William & Eleanor (B-867) and two D-Class, Phyllis Rowan (D-862) and Blackpool Endeavour (D-864). Steven explained that it was not uncommon for all three to be at sea at the same time during peak tourist seasons. However, he also explained that the vast majority of shouts were to a stretch of coast between the South and North Piers, a distance of just over 1.6 miles. Sadly, many of these cases are to vulnerable and mental health casualties, a theme that has become more common as we speak to crews around the country.
Thank you to everyone at Blackpool for allowing us to look around at such a busy time.
Lytham St Annes Lifeboat Station
And so to our final destination on this 3 day trip, Lytham St Annes. Now, here is a slight complication. This Lifeboat Station is recognised by the RNLI as one. However, there are two boathouses, and whilst not unusual, they are reasonably independent of each other.
The larger of the two boathouses is located in the area called St Annes on the South Promenade. It was completed in 2003 and houses their Shannon Class, Barbara Anne (13-24). It also has a shop and a visitor centre where you can view the boat from above and enjoy a small exhibition of the history of the station.
3.5 miles along the coast to the east lies the second boathouse on the promenade of Central Beach in the area of Lytham. This was built in 1960 and houses their Inshore Lifeboat, Moam (D-800).
We popped into both shops and thank you to the generosity of the volunteers who donated pin badges to us. Unfortunately we were unable to meet any crew and view the inshore lifeboat.
The end of a fantastic three days of visits bringing our total to 92. Considering we visited the North East at a time when a major named storm hit, we got very lucky with the weather when we were out visiting. Seeing some of the surf on our visits we realise just how brave these volunteers are to venture out in these conditions to save lives.
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