Welcome to pages I have devoted to Whitby Lifeboat Station, its lifeboats, its crew and coxswains both past and present. I have remodeled the page and split it into two pages, with the constant updates it was becoming quite a lengthy page, the second installment of this page and a better introduction of the lifeboat station can be found using the 'welcome' navigation element. However, before you continue to view the pages I would like to point out that perhaps the majority of images used to illustrate them are copyright of "Whitby Lifeboat Station". I am allowed restricted use to present them here and would ask that you respect the photographic copyright, so that I am allowed permission to continue sharing them with you!
In January, the website was judged to have met the criteria for to be awarded a 'special award' in conjunction with the Maritime Webring. Other sections of my website have earned their own distinctions, however being the recipient of this one is more important as it is a tangible element that my endeavours have met with some approval.
The station has moved ever forward following the sad loss of the stations Operations Manager. Roy Weatherill, was a devoted and charming person who always had a smile on his face, he was admired by many people and well known throughout Whitby. He was not only a dedicated operations manager for the lifeboat but supported a number of very worthy causes.
Roy Weatherill pictured above with the Duchess of Kent at the 2007 ceremony to officially open the new lifeboat station and name the present inshore lifeboat.
2007 will always be remembered for the opening of the new station however, it will also be recalled for a tragic and fateful service in November. I have added a new page related to the tragic service of the cabin cruiser Last Call. I have added two pages related to the late Mr. Richard Sefton and his endeavours to produce the magnificent large bronze bust of Henry Freeman which now adorns the side of the station house as well as a limited edition mini figurine. The pages are well illustrated and give an insight to the legacy that Mr. Sefton has left behind for generations to come.
I have just added two new pages detailing a second successive record year in terms of call outs for this part of the UK coastline. Perhaps the biggest achievement comes in announcing that I have finally completed the long overdue page detailing the naming of the new inshore lifeboat and the dedication of the new lifeboat station along with a number of comprehensive gallery pages. Friday the 7th September 2007 began as a wonderfully warm sunny day and the visit by HRH Duchess of Kent to officially open the station was a glorious affair and a day that heralded a new era for Whitby Lifeboat Station. The photograph below was taken during the opening of the new lifeboat station and features Whitby lifeboat crew members in 2007, it contains a link to the official opening ceremony of the station and naming of the inshore lifeboat OEM Stone III.
To complement the pages related to the official opening of the new station I have only just added seven gallery pages that present the work involved in the dismantling and removal of the old station built in 1909 (seen right). The pages begin with the dismantling of the old station and work through to the completion of the new lifeboat station, simply use the link in the old station photograph to the right to access the gallery pages.
The former Upgang and Whitby lifeboat William Riley had its first major fundraising venture in 2008 recreating the journey undertaken by the Tynemouth motor lifeboat "Henry Vernon" in 1914 to the wreck of the Rohilla, details of fundraising event itself can be found on my fundraising page within the William Riley section of my website endeavours. The latest page to grace this website relates to information which was first publicised in the Whitby Gazette and later in the Lifeboat journal. The feature titled Launching Ceremony At Whitby, first details the heroic attempts made during the Rohilla tragedy and an exhibition of relics. It then presents the dedication of the 'new' station house and the christening of the Margaret Harker Smith, it made for a very interesting piece use this link to read it for yourself.
I would like to finally encourage you to visit a new page added to this website which relates to the frequent ongoing fundraising efforts, which can be accessed using the link.
This years open day is on Sunday June 27th from 09.30 hrs till 17.00 hrs. Come along and have a look round the station and boats. Chat with the crew and friends of Whitby Lifeboat who will be happy to answer your questions and show you round. Refreshments will be available. A souvenir stall will have a selection of items for you to buy and take home to remember your day. Please come along and support us as all funds go towards much needed RNLI funding.
Whitby's offshore Trent class lifeboat the George and Mary Webb will be open to the public.The Inshore Lifeboat O E M Stone will also be on show. The Bandstand area will be used to host fundraising stalls such as the very popular tombolla stall, cake stall, book stall, model lifeboats and classic cars etc. The RNLI sea safety roadshow hopes to attend this event. The Sunday display will include both Whitby's boats along with the Atlantic class lifeboat from Staithes. Runswick bay's Rescue boat will also be invited to take part in the displays.The RAF Seaking Rescue helicopter will hopefully put on a winching display subject to operational requirements. This will be a great day out for the family and your opportunity to support Whitby Lifeboat Station.
I could not complete this Whitby Lifeboat Station index page without including the station mascot Penny, owned by the full time mechanic Glenn. She is a very active dog and loves nothing more than bringing you anything she can carry, never let it be known you have not been warned....
