Littlestone-on-Sea Lifeboat Station
A lifeboat was stationed here between 1861 and 1928, but was known as 'Dungeness' lifeboat (1861–1874) and then renamed 'New Romney' lifeboat (1874–1928). It was never called 'Littlestone Lifeboat'.
In 1966, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) established Littlestone-on-Sea Lifeboat Station as an Inshore lifeboat station.
The station is one of 238 RNLI lifeboat stations, and currently operates the B-class (Atlantic 85) Inshore lifeboat Jean McIvor (B-922).
History
The Dungeness Lifeboat Station was established at the 'No.1 Battery' near Lydd in 1854, with the placement of a 27-foot (8-Oared) Self-righting lifeboat. However, the 2-ton boat provided was found to be too heavy to be easily launched over the shingle, and so a 1.5-ton boat was provided in 1857. Of course, this was now too lightweight for the sea conditions encountered. In 1861, another new boat was provided, but the solution to the weight issue, was to relocate the lifeboat. The boat was transferred to a station at Littlestone-on-Sea, and a boathouse constructed near the coastguard station across the end of Marine Parade.
In 1874, it was found necessary to reopen a station nearer to Dungeness point, this being named Lydd (Dungeness) Lifeboat Station. To avoid confusion, the station at Littlestone was renamed New Romney lifeboat station. The New Romney station stayed in operation until 1928, when faster motor-powered lifeboats were placed at flanking stations.
In response to the boom of water-based leisure activity in the 1950s and 60s, the RNLI introduced a small fast inflatable 2-man lifeboat at many stations. Able to be launched by 2 or three people in just a few minutes, and with a crew of just two or three, the advantages over the regular All-weather lifeboats was clear, and the ideal solution to be able to provide a fast response to inshore incidents.
In 1966, the RNLI established an Inshore lifeboat station at Littlestone-on-Sea, and placed on service a D-class (RFD PB16) Inshore boat (D-90). Inshore lifeboat were initially placed at stations during summer months. A further three D-class lifeboats were placed at Littlestone, but in 1972, a larger twin engined trial Atlantic-class lifeboat, known as an Atlantic 17, arrived on station.
A B-class (Atlantic 21) would be placed on service in 1976, and the following year, a new brick-built boathouse was constructed, to house the boat, and provide better crew facilities. On Tuesday, 31 May 1976, HRH The Duke of Kent, President of the Institution, visited Littlestone. After the dedication of the Atlantic 21 and new boathouse, the Duke unveiled a plaque, formally opening the boathouse, which had been built by the crew members themselves, from material donated, or discounted by local companies.
The station would receive a new B-class (Atlantic 85) in December 2020. The boat was funded from the legacy of £600,000 from Mrs Jean Campbell McIvor, of Middlesex. Mrs McIvor, who died in 2017, had been a radar operator for the Women's Royal Air Force during World War II. She was also the River Thames Punting Champion 1947–50.
Littlestone-on-Sea Inshore lifeboat Fred Clarke (B-785) would be the last of the B-class (Atlantic 75) lifeboats on service, being retired in 2021. The boat was replaced by the B-class (Atlantic 85) lifeboat Jean McIvor (B-922), which had been at the station since 2020, but had training delayed due to Covid.
In 2023, Helen Crittenden, wife of the station Operations Manager Matt, became the first female Helm to be appointed at Littlestone.
Littlestone-on-Sea lifeboats
| Op.No. | Name | In service | Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-90 | Unnamed | 1966–1969 | D-class (RFD PB16) | |
| D-37 | Unnamed | 1968 | D-class (RFD PB16) | |
| D-50 | Unnamed | 1970 | D-class (RFD PB16) | |
| D-189 | Unnamed | 1970–1972 | D-class (RFD PB16) | |
| B-3 (C-1) |
Unnamed | 1970 | B-class Atlantic 17 (Trial) | |
| B-5 (C-3) |
Unnamed | 1972–1974 | B-class Atlantic 17 (Trial) | |
| B-4 (C-2) |
Unnamed | 1974–1976 | B-class Atlantic 17 (Trial) | |
| B-533 | Unnamed | 1976–1988 | B-class (Atlantic 21) | |
| B-573 | The Lady Dart and Long Life II | 1988–2002 | B-class (Atlantic 21) | |
| B-701 | Gordon England | 2001–2002 | B-class (Atlantic 75) | |
| B-785 | Fred Clarke | 2002–2021 | B-class (Atlantic 75) | |
| B-922 | Jean McIvor | 2020– | B-class (Atlantic 85) |
Launch and recovery tractors
| Op. No. | Reg. No. | Type | In service | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TW05 | UJT 151S | Talus MB-764 County | 1977–1978 | |
| TW08 | D508 RUJ | Talus MB-764 County | 1979–1994 | |
| TW31 | L526 JUJ | Talus MB-764 County | 1994–1999 | |
| TW45Ha | T249 JNT | Talus MB-4H Hydrostatic (Mk1) | 1999–2008 | |
| TW37Hc | P898 CUX | Talus MB-4H Hydrostatic (Mk2) | 2008–2015 | |
| TW58Hc | DX53 VRF | Talus MB-4H Hydrostatic (Mk2) | 2015–2017 | |
| TW21Hc | J495 XUJ | Talus MB-4H Hydrostatic (Mk2) | 2017–2023 | |
| TW61Hb | DX09 LRZ | Talus MB-4H Hydrostatic (Mk1.5) | 2024– |
See also
Notes
References
- ^ Morris, Jeff (January 2001). The History of the Dungeness Lifeboats. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 1–50.
- ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
- ^ "No.1 Battery". Dungeness Batteries. History of Romney Marsh. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "RNLI celebrates 60th anniversary of its Inshore Lifeboats". RNLI. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "Littlestone-on-Sea's station history". Littlestone-on-Sea Lifeboat Station. RNLI. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "Inshore Lifeboats". The Lifeboat. XLV (461): 41. Autumn 1977. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ Munnings, Gavin (22 December 2020). "Littlestone lifeboat station welcome their brand new Atlantic 85 (B922) lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "End of Era as last Atlantic 75 stood down". Fishing News. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ Henfrey, Tom (27 March 2023). "First Female Helm Takes Control of Littlestone RNLI's Atlantic 85". RNLI. Retrieved 25 July 2024.