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Independent lifeboats in Britain and Ireland

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Southport Lifeboat Station

Independent lifeboats in Britain and Ireland is generally a term referring to lifeboat services which are not part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), (Est. 1854), or its predecessor, the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS) (Est. 1824), even though the RNLI is itself independent.

There are about 80 (the number can fluctuate - see the tables below) independent lifeboat services operating throughout Britain, Ireland and the Channel Islands, on coasts and inland waterways, comprising around a quarter of the lifeboat services in the UK and Ireland.

Because the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) owns and operates the majority of lifeboat stations (238 in 2025[1]), smaller independent services can be overshadowed when it comes to publicity and fundraising.[2][3]

Independent services are usually funded privately and most are registered charities; they are supported by amateur radio;[4] most operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Some of the independent stations have achieved 'Declared Asset' status from HM Coastguard, meaning they can be called out by the Coastguard, just as they would call on the RNLI.[5][6]

History

[edit]
The remains of Formby lifeboat station

The first recorded independent lifeboat service was established in 1776 at Formby, Merseyside, where it could cover the entrance to Liverpool Docks, one of the busiest ports in the world at that time.[7]

More lifeboat stations began to be established around the coast towards the end of the 18th century, in response to the considerable loss of life at sea. Many seaside towns and villages commissioned their own lifeboat, or were part of a larger group, such as the Norfolk Shipwreck Association, or the Essex Lifeboat Association.[8]

In addition, under the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847, companies operating Dock facilities were required by Act of parliament to provide a lifeboat.

Inevitably, managing the operations and costs of a lifeboat was not an easy task, nor the first priority of the various Harbour and Dock Companies, and the management of the majority of these lifeboat stations was ultimately transferred to the RNLI.

However, in the early 1900s, a rise in the number of powered vessels, including lifeboats, and a decline in the number of merchant sailing vessels at the mercy of the weather, resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of wrecks, and the need for lifeboats. Many RNLI stations were closed.

St Abbs Lifeboat Station

In the 1960s, a gradual increasing popularity of coastal and river sport and leisure activities, has led to the reopening of some lifeboat stations, and the establishment of many new ones, both with the RNLI, and independent organisations.

In 1962, the number of rescues or attempted rescues by All-weather RNLI lifeboats in the summer months was 98, with the number of lives rescued being 133. In 1963, in response to an increasing amount of water-based leisure activity, the RNLI began trials of small fast Inshore lifeboats, placed at various locations around the country. These were easily launched with just a few people, ideal to respond quickly to local emergencies. This quickly proved to be very successful. In 1963, there were 226 rescues or attempted rescues in the summer months, as a result of which 225 lives were saved.[9]

Along with new RNLI stations, the number of Independent Lifeboat stations have increased once again, with many operating in areas not traditionally covered by the RNLI, such as river estuaries and inland waterways, or established where a local need has been lacking cover.

In 2020, the National Independent Lifeboat Association (NILA) was formed and established as a charity, to give independent lifeboats operators in the UK and Jersey a single voice in national conversations while remaining independent. Not all independent lifeboats are members of NILA. NILA has a seat on the UKSAR Operators group and the National Water Safety Forum.[10]

List of independent lifeboat services

[edit]

Independent lifeboat services are spread across England, Wales, Scotland,[11] Jersey, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.[12] Some are primarily inland rescue services.

United Kingdom

[edit]

England

[edit]
Name Location Notes Image
Bay Search and Rescue Flookburgh,
Cumbria 		Operates in Morecambe Bay.[13]
Operates All Terrain Vehicles (Onshore) and Water rescue craft.
Boulmer Volunteer Rescue Service Boulmer,
Northumberland 		Established 1967.[14]
Burnham Area Rescue Boat Burnham-on-Sea,
Somerset 		Established 1992.
Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service Caister-on-Sea,
Norfolk 		Established 1969.
Uses both offshore and inshore lifeboats.
Registered charity.
Coast Medic Falmouth,
Cornwall 		Medical inshore lifeboat, supporting local emergency services.
Registered charity.[15]
Duddon Inshore Rescue Askam-in-Furness,
Cumbria 		Established 1969. Operates on Duddon Estuary.[16]
Felixstowe Lifeboat Felixstowe,
Suffolk 		Established 1997.[17][18]
Folkestone Rescue Folkestone,
Kent 		Inshore Lifeboat, supporting local emergency services.
Operates April to September, weekend daytime.
Registered Charity[19]
Freshwater Bay Independent Lifeboat Station Freshwater,
Isle of Wight 		Opened 1972.[20]
Registered charity.
Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue (GAFIRS) Gosport,
Hampshire 		Established 1969.
Hamble Lifeboat Hamble
Hampshire 		Established 1968.
Based in River Hamble
On standby in The Solent[21][22]
Haverigg Inshore Rescue Team Haverigg
Cumbria 		Established 1973.[23]
Hayling Island Rescue Hayling Island
Hampshire 		Established 1984.[24][25]
Operates a single RIB (Inshore)
Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service Hemsby
Norfolk 		Registered charity.[26]
Hope Cove Life Boat Hope Cove,
Devon 		Managed by Maritime Coastguard Agency 1960 - 2010.
Hope Cove Lifeboat Ltd 2010.
Registered charity
Hornsea Rescue Hornsea
East Riding of Yorkshire 		Established 1994.[27]
Humber Rescue Hessle
East Riding of Yorkshire 		Established 1990.[28]
Lancaster Area Search and Rescue Lancaster
Lancashire 		Founded 2018 follow devastating floods in Lancaster Area. The team is affiliated to SLSGB as a Flood Rescue Team.[29]
Maryport Inshore Rescue Maryport,
Cumbria 		Established 1978.[30]
Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue Upton-upon-Severn
Worcestershire 		Established April 2005, after separation from SARA. Operates in the Severn, Avon and Wye valleys.[31]
2025, Believed to be disbanded, members joined West Mercia Rescue.
Mundesley Volunteer Inshore Lifeboat Mundesley
Norfolk 		Established 1972.
Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat Pett Level, Hastings
East Sussex 		Operates in Rye Bay from Pett Level.[32]
Portsmouth & Southsea Voluntary Lifeguards Southsea
Hampshire 		Operational since 1933.[33]
Red Seal Rescue Safety Boats Tyne Haven, Tynemouth,
Tyne and Wear 		Founded 1967[34]
Runswick Bay Rescue Boat Runswick Bay
North Yorkshire 		Established 1982.
Registered charity.[35][36]
Ryde Inshore Rescue Service Ryde
Isle of Wight 		Established 1956.
2 inshore lifeboats.
Queen's Award for Voluntary Service 2009.[37]
Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat Station Sandown
Isle of Wight 		Established at Shanklin 1884–1916. Re-established in 1988.
Sea Palling Volunteer Rescue Service Sea Palling
Norfolk 		Established 1974.[38]
Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) – Tutshill Tutshill
Gloucestershire 		Founded 1973. Registered charity.[39]
Operates 19 lifeboats from 4 stations.[40]
Registered charity.
Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) – Beachley Beachley,
Gloucestershire 		Operates from under the M48 Severn Bridge.
Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) – Newport Newport
Gwent 		Established 2014.
Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) – Sharpness Sharpness
Gloucestershire 		Established 1986.
Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) – Tewkesbury Tewkesbury
Gloucestershire 		Established 2008.
Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) – Wyre Forest Upper Arley
Worcestershire 		Established pre-2010.
Sidmouth Lifeboat Sidmouth
Devon 		Established 1968.
Solent Rescue Lepe Country Park, Exbury
Hampshire 		Established 1971.
Southport Lifeboat Station Southport
Merseyside 		Established early 18th century.
Run by the RNLI 1860–1925.
Ulverston Inshore Rescue Ulverston
Cumbria 		Established 2002.[41]
West Mercia Search and Rescue Bridgnorth and Telford
Shropshire 		Established 2007.[42]
York Rescue Boat York
North Yorkshire 		Established 2014.[43]

Wales

[edit]
Name Location Notes Image
Ferryside Inshore Rescue Ferryside
Carmarthenshire 		Established 1966.[44]
Loughor Inshore Rescue Loughor
Swansea 		Established 1969.

Scotland

[edit]
Name Location Notes Image
East Sutherland Rescue Association (ESRA) Dornoch,
Highland 		Established 1982.[45][46]
Glasgow Humane Society Lifeboat Glasgow Established 1790. Registered charity number SC001178.[47]
Loch Lomond Rescue Boat Luss, Loch Lomond,
Argyll and Bute 		Established 1977.[48]
Nith Inshore Rescue Glencaple,
Dumfries and Galloway 		Established 1982. Registered charity SC022223.[49]
Port William Inshore Rescue Service (PIRSAC) Port William,
Dumfries and Galloway 		Established 1979. Operates a 6.5m RIB, Pirsac III.[50][51]
St Abbs Lifeboat Station St Abbs
Scottish Borders 		Established RNLI 1911
Independent operation from 2016.
Operates MST900W Inshore lifeboat Thomas Tunnock.[52]

Northern Ireland

[edit]
Name Location Notes Image
Bann Rescue (Community Rescue Service) River Bann,
County Londonderry 		Established 2008. Operates on River Bann.[53]
Community Rescue Service Northern Ireland Operates throughout Northern Ireland.[54]
Foyle Search & Rescue Derry,
County Londonderry 		Established 1993. Operates on the River Foyle[55]
Lagan Search and Rescue (LSAR) Belfast Harbour,
Belfast 		Deemed charity.[56]
Lough Neagh Rescue Lurgan,
County Armagh 		Established 1990.[57]

Channel Islands

[edit]

Whilst the Channel Islands are not part of the UK (they are Crown dependencies) they are included here because of their proximity to Britain and Ireland with their location in the English Channel and by virtue of the RNLI's coverage, which includes Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney.

Name Location Notes Image
Jersey Lifeboat Association St Helier, Jersey Established 2019.
Operates the former RNLI Tyne-class lifeboat Sir Max Aitken.[58]

Republic of Ireland

[edit]

Some independent services come under the umbrella of Community Rescue Boats Ireland (CRBI) and are trained and administrated by Irish Water Safety. Those noted (DR) are Declared Resource with Irish Coast Guard.[59]

Name Location Notes Image
Abbeyfeale District Search & Rescue Abbeyfeale,
County Limerick 		Established 2004.[60]
Ballinskelligs Inshore Rescue (CRBI) (DR) Ballinskelligs,
County Kerry 		Established 2008.[61]
Ballybunion Sea & Cliff Rescue Service (CRBI) (DR) Ballybunion,
County Kerry 		Established 1986.[62]
Ballyheigue Sea and Cliff Rescue (CRBI) (DR) Ballyheigue,
County Kerry 		Operational since at least 2015.[63][64]
Banna Rescue (CRBI) (DR) Banna,
County Kerry 		Established 1983.[65]
Bantry Inshore Search and Rescue Association (CRBI) (DR) Bantry,
County Cork 		Established 1987.[66]
Blackwater Search & Recovery Unit Fermoy,
County Cork 		Established 1981.[67][68]
Blessington Rescue Boat Blessington Lake,
County Wicklow 		Established 2007.[69]
Bonmahon (Bunmahon) (CRBI) (DR) Bonmahon (Bunmahon),
County Waterford 		Established 1986.[70][71]
Boyne Fishermans Rescue and Recovery (CRBI) Drogheda,
County Louth 		[72][73]
Bunratty Search and Rescue Bunratty,
County Clare 		Established 1981.[74]
Cahir River Search and Rescue Cahir,
County Tipperary 		Established 2002. Operating inland on the River Suir.[75]
Cahore Inshore Rescue Service (CRBI) (DR) Cahore
County Wexford 		Established 1994.[76][77][78]
Carrick-on-Suir Search & Rescue Carrick-on-Suir,
County Waterford 		River rescue service.[79]
Corrib Mask Search and Rescue (CRBI) (DR) Clonbur,
County Galway 		Lough Corrib and Lough Mask rescue service.[80][81]
Derrynane (CRBI) (DR) Derrynane,
County Kerry 		Established 1995.[82][83]
Foxford & District Search & Rescue Unit (CRBI) Foxford,
County Mayo 		Believe disbanded
Kilkee Marine Rescue Kilkee,
County Clare 		Established 1981. Status unknown.
Killarney Water Rescue Killarney,
County Kerry 		Established in 1998.[84][85]
Limerick Marine Search and Rescue (CRBI) (DR) Limerick,
County Limerick 		Established 1986.[86][87]
Mallow Search & Rescue Mallow,
County Cork 		[88]
Tramore Sea Rescue Association (CRBI) (DR) Tramore,
County Waterford 		Operates in conjunction with RNLI Tramore, with RNLI crew.[89]
Waterford City River Rescue (CRBI) (DR) Waterford,
County Waterford 		Established 2005.[90][91][92]
Waterford Marine Search and Rescue (CRBI) Waterford,
County Waterford 		Established 2010.[93]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Our lifeboat stations". What we do. RNLI. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Island goes orange for independent lifeboats". Island Echo. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  3. ^ "Independent lifeboat fundraising drive announced". Practical Boat Owner. 9 December 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  4. ^ "SOS Radio". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  5. ^ "In the Inquest touching upon the death of Ivan Rumenov Ignatov" (PDF). Doset Coroner's Court. p. A16. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  6. ^ "Independent Lifeboats, Rescue Boat Coding and DFS". What Do They Know. MySociety. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Formby Lifeboat Station – A World First". Lancashire Past. LancashirePast.com. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  8. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2025). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. p. 117.
  9. ^ "New Developments" (PDF). The Lifeboat. XXXVII (406): 553. December 1963. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Charities Commission: NILA". Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Awareness day for independent lifeboats". The Caledonian Mercury. 26 February 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  12. ^ "Irish Lifeboats - Independent lifeboats". Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  13. ^ "Bay Search and Rescue". Bay Search and Rescue Registered Charity No: 1090880. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Two centuries of life-saving". Northumberland Gazette. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  15. ^ "Coast Medic". Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  16. ^ "Duddon Inshore Rescue". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  17. ^ "Felixstowe Volunteer Coast Patrol & Rescue Service". Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  18. ^ Cornwell, Richard (9 October 2018). "Felixstowe Volunteer Coast Patrol Rescue Service receives 'first real home'". Ipswich Star. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  19. ^ "Folkestone Rescue". Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  20. ^ "Freshwater Lifeboat - History". Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  21. ^ "Hamble Lifeboat". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Cost of living: Hamble Lifeboat scales-back patrols due to rising fuel cost". BBC News. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  23. ^ "Haverigg Inshore Rescue". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  24. ^ Dunster, Frank (2014). The Confessions of Hayling Rescue. ISBN 978-1497569362.
  25. ^ "Yacht rescue serving facing cash crisis". Yachting Monthly. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  26. ^ "Open Charities: Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service". Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  27. ^ "Hornsea Inshore Rescue". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  28. ^ "Humber Rescue". Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  29. ^ "Lancaster Area Search and Rescue". Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  30. ^ "Maryport Rescue". Maryport Rescue. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  31. ^ "Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue". Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  32. ^ "Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat". Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  33. ^ "Portsmouth & Southsea Voluntary Lifeguards". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  34. ^ "Red Seal Rescue". Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  35. ^ "Runswick Rescue". Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  36. ^ "Runswick Bay Rescue Boat". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  37. ^ "Independent lifeboat awarded royal honour". Motor Boats Monthly. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  38. ^ "Sea Palling independent lifeboat crew back on duty". BBC News. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  39. ^ "SARA - History". Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  40. ^ "SARA - Stations". Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  41. ^ "Ulverston Inshore Rescue". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  42. ^ "West Mercia Search and Rescue". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  43. ^ "York Rescue Boat". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  44. ^ "Ferryside Lifeboat". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  45. ^ "East Sutherland Rescue Association". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  46. ^ "ESRA launches fundraising drive to mark 30th anniversary". The Northern Times. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  47. ^ "Gasgow Humane Society". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  48. ^ "Loch Lomond Rescue Boat". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  49. ^ "Nith Inshore Rescue". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  50. ^ "Port William Inshore Rescue Service". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  51. ^ "Port William Inshore Rescue receives grant". ITV News. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  52. ^ Nisbett, Peter. "Going independent". St Abbs Lifeboat. St Abbs Lifeboat. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  53. ^ "New service to save river lives". BBC News. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  54. ^ "Community Rescue Service". Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  55. ^ "Foyle Search & Rescue". Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  56. ^ "Lagan Search and Rescue (LSAR)". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  57. ^ "Lough Neagh Rescue". Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  58. ^ "Jersey Lifeboat". Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  59. ^ "Community Rescue Boats Ireland (CRBI)". Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  60. ^ "Abbeyfeale District Search and Rescue". Abbeyfeale Parish. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  61. ^ "Ballinskelligs Inshore Rescue (DR)". Irish Lifeboats. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  62. ^ "Ballybunion Sea & Cliff Rescue Service". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  63. ^ "Ballyheigue Inshore Rescue Service (DR)". Irish Lifeboats. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  64. ^ Anne Lucey (15 August 2015). "Search to resume for man swept into sea at Kerry Head". Irish Times. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  65. ^ "Banna Rescue". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  66. ^ "Bantry Inshore Search and Rescue Association (BISRA)". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  67. ^ "Blackwater Search and Recovery Unit". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  68. ^ "Blackwater Sub Aqua Search & Rescue". Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  69. ^ "Blessington Rescue Boat". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  70. ^ "Bonmahon Lifeguard Club & Inshore Lifeboat (DR)". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  71. ^ "Bonmahon Lifeboat". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  72. ^ "Boyne Fishermen's Rescue and Recovery Service". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  73. ^ "Boyne Fishermans Rescue and Recovery". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  74. ^ "Bunratty Search & Rescue". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  75. ^ "Cahir River Search and Rescue". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  76. ^ "Cahore Inshore Rescue Service (DR)". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  77. ^ "Cahore Inshore Rescue Service". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  78. ^ "Cahore - Launching". Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  79. ^ "Carrick on Suir River Rescue". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  80. ^ "Corrib Mask Search and Rescue (DR)". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  81. ^ "Corrib Mask Search and Rescue". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  82. ^ "Derrynane Inshore Rescue". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  83. ^ "Derrynane Inshore Rescue (DR)". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  84. ^ "Killarney Water Rescue". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  85. ^ "Killarney Water and Rescue crew seek a permanent home". The Kerryman. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  86. ^ "Limerick Marine Search & Rescue". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  87. ^ "Limerick Marine Search & Rescue (DR)". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  88. ^ "Mallow Search and Rescue". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  89. ^ "Tramore Sea Rescue Association (DR)". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  90. ^ "Waterford City River Rescue". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  91. ^ "Waterford City River Rescue". Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  92. ^ "Waterford City River Rescue (DR)". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  93. ^ "Waterford Marine Search and Rescue". Retrieved 22 July 2025.
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