Port St Mary History
1896 An RNLI station was established. The boathouse, originally built with large doors at both ends, is still in use today. This housed ON-401 James Stevens No.1, a 35ft pulling and sailing lifeboat.
1917 ON-556 Marianne, another 35ft pulling and sailing lifeboat, was placed on service.
1927 Coxswain Edward Kneen was killed by an explosion when firing a maroon to open Flag Day.
1936 ON-785 Sir Heath Harrison, a 35ft 6in Liverpool-type motor lifeboat, was placed on service.
1937 While launching on exercise on 10 June, the lifeboat skidded down the slipway and four men working the winch were thrown from the handles. John Evans was struck by a handle and received fatal injuries.
1950 ON-753 Civil Service No.5, a 40ft Watson lifeboat, was placed on service and moored afloat.
1956 ON-930 Colby Cubbin No.2 a 47ft Watson lifeboat, was placed on service.
1966 An inshore lifeboat (ILB) station was established in the existing boathouse with a D class lifeboat and D-81 was placed on service.
1971 Coxswain John Gawne was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the RNLI.
1973 The D class, D-209 Frederic Moor No.1 was placed on service.
1976 A 54ft Arun class lifeboat, ON-1051 Gough Ritchie, was placed on service.
1981 Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum and Service of Merit Badges were awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Norman Quillin and Crew Members Eric Quillin and William Halsall; Vellum certificates were also presented to Second Coxswain Johnny Williams, Derrick McCutcheon, Derek Cregeen and Stephen Cregeen for rescuing two crew from the yacht Melfort, aground on rocks at Derbyhaven.
1982 Coxswain/Mechanic Norman Quillin was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the RNLI.
1986 The D class, D-323 Gus, was placed on service.
1992 Former Crew Member Rick Tomlinson was awarded a Bronze Medal for rescuing the crew and towing the fishing vessel Ross Revenge in gale force winds off Lough Swilly, Northern Ireland.
1994 The D class, D-462 Frances, was placed on service.
1995 A Centenary Vellum was awarded to the station.
1998 The 14m Trent class lifeboat, ON-1234 Gough Ritchie II, was placed on service.
2000 Letters of Appreciation were presented to Coxswain Johnny Williams, Second Coxswain Michael Kneale and George Platt when the lifeboat brought in the 17m yacht Maggie Ellen.
2001 His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, President of the RNLI, visited the station on 30 October.
2002 The D class, D-575 Hounslow, was placed on service.
2003 Coxswain Johnny Williams received an MBE for services to the RNLI.
2004 A Framed Letter of Thanks was awarded to Second Coxswain Michael Kneale when the lifeboat brought in the large fishing vessel Paramount on 24 November 2003.
Station honours
At Port St Mary lifeboat station the following awards have been made:
Framed Letter of Thanks 1
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 3
