Newquay RNLI Commemorates Its History with Display of Lifesaving Service Boards

Photo: Newquay RNLI service boards behind one of the station’s launching tractors – Credit: Newquay RNLI/Andy Hobkinson

In a significant tribute to its long-standing history, the Newquay RNLI lifeboat station has unveiled a collection of service boards documenting over a century of dramatic sea rescues. For the first time in 30 years, these meticulously preserved records are now on display, celebrating the courage and dedication of the town’s lifeboat volunteers.

A Century of Courage

The service boards, which have been stored out of sight since the current Newquay lifeboat station was built in 1994, list numerous rescues carried out by the station’s crews between 1860 and 1987. These boards provide a window into the station’s storied past, highlighting some of the most memorable and life-saving missions undertaken during this period.

One of the earliest recorded rescues dates back to 1864, when the crew saved five lives from the schooner Heroine. Another poignant entry details the 1942 rescue of six airmen from a wartime aircraft that had crashed into the sea. The boards also commemorate the first life saved by the crew after the station was reopened in 1965 with a new inshore lifeboat.

Behind the Display

The driving force behind the display’s resurrection was Ann-Marie Dale, the station’s volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer. Ann-Marie, along with a lifeboat crew member who also works as a carpenter, took on the task of bringing the service boards down from the boathouse rafters, cleaning them, and installing them on the station’s internal walls.

Speaking about the achievement, Ann-Marie expressed her pride in seeing the history of Newquay RNLI back on display. She noted that it was particularly meaningful to complete the project during the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year.

A Tribute to Teamwork

The display not only serves as a testament to the bravery of past lifeboat crews but also highlights the commitment of the current team. The service boards now hang proudly alongside the station’s modern inshore lifeboats, where they are visible to both visitors and crew members responding to the latest emergency calls.

The project underscores the teamwork and dedication that continues to define the Newquay RNLI. Through the efforts of the volunteers, the station’s rich history is now more accessible than ever, offering inspiration to the community and honouring those who have served over the years.

Photo: Newquay RNLI service board featuring the station’s wartime services in the 1940s and the first by the new inshore lifeboat in 1965. – Credit: Newquay RNLI/Andy Hobkinson