Redcar History
1802 The first lifeboat, the Zetland, built by Henry Greathead, was placed on station and was funded by a local committee. (The Zetland is now the oldest surviving lifeboat in the world and can be seen at The RNLI Zetland Museum in Redcar – see 1877 date entry.)
1829 A Gold Medal was awarded to Lt RE Pym RN, for rescuing 10 people from the wrecked brigantine Aurora on 14 August. With the violent seas, the 26 lifeboatmen had to be lashed to their seats to prevent them being washed out of the lifeboat.
1857 A Silver Medal was awarded to Coxswain Robert Shieldon for rescuing eight people from the barque Emma.
1858 The RNLI took over the lifeboat station and a new boathouse was built on the sea front.
1864 The Zetland was damaged while rescuing seven crew from the brigantine Brothers and a new self-righting lifeboat, Crossley, was provided.
1877 A second, independent, lifeboat operated from a boathouse on the promenade. This boathouse now houses the Zetland lifeboat.
1880 On 28 October the brigantine Luna was washed through Redcar pier. Both lifeboats were out of action after previous rescues and so the Zetland was used to rescue seven men. It was the last time the Zetland was launched; over 500 lives had been saved during 78 years.
1928 A Centenary Vellum was awarded to the station.
1931 The station's first motor lifeboat, Louisa Polden, was placed on service.
1963 An inshore lifeboat station was established with a D class lifeboat.
1972 A new boathouse was built on the promenade.
1986 The all weather lifeboat was withdrawn from service on 22 March and was replaced by a B class Atlantic 21 lifeboat.
1990 Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Helmsman Rodney J Thompson and Crew Member Peter Hodge for assisting two crew from the fishing vessel Gang Warily, which was aground at the foot of the steep cliffs on 26 August 1989.
1992 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Helmsman Peter Hodge for rescuing two people and a dog cut off by the tide at the base of Hunt cliff. Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Crew Members Barry Wheater, Mark Reeves and Derek Robinson.
1995 Framed Letters of Thanks were awarded to Helmsman Michael Picknett and Crew Members Michael Hoyle, Barry Knaggs and Gordon Young for rescuing two boys cut off by the tide at the base of Hunt cliff.
1997 The new D class lifeboat, D-523 Peterborough Beer Festival I, was placed on service on 23 July.
1999 Framed Letters of Thanks were presented to Helmsman Mark Greaves and Crew Members Tony Wild and Derek Robinson for rescuing a man cut off by the tide at Penny Hole on 30 May.
2001 The Atlantic 75, Leicester Challenge 2, was placed on service.
2002 A Bicentenary Vellum was awarded to the station to commemorate 200 years as a lifeboat station.
2004 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Helmsman Mark Reeves for rescuing a lifeguard from the sea in heavy surf on 15 August 2003. He also received the 2003 Walter & Elizabeth Groombridge Award for the most outstanding service by a B class lifeboat.
2007 The new D class lifeboat Jacky Hunsley was placed on service.
Station honours
At Redcar lifeboat station the following awards have been made:
Framed Letter of Thanks
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 6
Bronze Medal 1
Silver Medal 1
Gold Medal 1
