Girvan History

1865 A lifeboat house was built at a cost of £190 on a site given by the Duchesse de Coigny.

1898 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Mr McKenna and Mr C Lawson for riding 13 miles on a tandem from Girvan to Ballantrae. A vessel was in distress and, as the telegraph system had broken down, they were able to give information about the vessel. The cyclists arrived at 3am covered in mud and soaked by rain.

1899 £25 was paid as compensation for a horse that died after a lifeboat exercise.

1910 The lifeboat house was moved and a new boathouse was built on a new site at a cost of £800.

1931 The lifeboat was placed afloat at moorings in the harbour.

1960 A new harbour jetty was completed and the lifeboat was then kept afloat at moorings alongside at the head of the jetty.

1960s The old lifeboat house was demolished and the station was transferred to a temporary boathouse.

1965 A Centenary Vellum was awarded to the station.

1993 A new shore facility was constructed including a store and improved crew facilities. The Mersey class lifeboat Silvia Burrell arrived at the station.

2004 A new berth was completed.

Station honours

At Girvan lifeboat station the following awards have been made:

Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 2