Nearest RNLI Lifeboat Stations Isle of Wight
As anyone who visits the coast a lot understands the RNLI provides a much-needed service that nobody ever wants to make a call on. Our Lifeboat category brings all Coast Radar’s Isle of Wight listings related to Lifeboats and their stations together, with many opening to the public or offering fundraising shops.
Finding the best things to see and do on a Isle of Wight day out with your family or friends is easy – simply explore the Lifeboat links below, hit the jump to my location button or use the search bar to plan your next Isle of Wight activity.
- Inshore Lifeboat Centre (ILC) is state-of-the-art RNLI boatyard occupying two acres on the East Cowes bank of the River Medina. The ILC is an internationally renowned centre of excellence for its work involving inflatable and rigid inflatable lifeboats (RIBs). The RNLI constructs up to 60% of the lifeboats it needs in its own purpose-built manufacturing facility in Cowes. Visitors are welcome to see the work of the Inshore Lifeboat Centre firsthand, but are asked to book beforehand.
- Bembridge Lifeboat station is a key station strategically situation on the Solent which is known as one of the busiest shipping lanes in English waters. Over 900 lives have been saved by the volunteers at Bembridge. In 1922 an all weather lifeboat house was built but demolished in 2009 and they are now proud users of the new station completed in 2010! There are approximately 23 volunteers at Bembridge along with three other permanent staff and they come from all walks of life. The service is a charity that relies heavily on public funding and has been needed more in the past few years than ever before with the increase in leisure craft being used on the Solent.
- Yarmouth lifeboat station was established in 1924 after it moved from Totland Bay. The station operates an all weather lifeboat. Station only open by appointment, shop open daily.
- Cowes lifeboat station was founded in 1986 and RNLI took ownership in 2008. Cowes Lifeboat Station is involved in over 40 Search and Rescue (SOR) operations within the Solent from their current base in Shepard’s wharf marina. This is a charitable organisation and funded by the public as well as others and what is remarkable is that a legacy enabled this lifeboat station to acquire a new inshore lifeboat. The B-810 Tabbycat is one of the new generation of RNLI B-class Atlantic inshore lifeboats, first developed by the RNLI from a design originated at Atlantic College, South Wales. James Gordon Samson left a legacy to the RNLI from which the Atlantic 85 lifeboat Tabbycat was funded. Tabbycat was named at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in Poole, Dorset, in 2007. The crew and volunteers at Cowes are very proud of their work and welcome and encourage station visits which can be arranged through the Lifeboat Visitor Officer who can accommodate visits during the weekend or pre-arranged school or club visits during the week. If you would like to visit Cowes Lifeboat Station or you would like the LVO to present to your school or club then please contact the Lifeboat Visitor Officer at [email protected]
