History Page

Shoreham grew as a town around the port and therefore there has been a long tradition of life saving vessels here.

The RNLI took over the task of saving life at sea from the Shoreham Harbour Commissioner's lifeboat in 1865 with The Ramonet, which stayed on service until 1890. With the exception of a 5 year period from 1924 to 1929 there has been an all weather boat operational at Shoreham ever since.

The present Boathouse was built in 1933 to accommodate Shoreham's fifth lifeboat the 41 foot Watson class lifeboat RNLB Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn which served Shoreham with distinction from 1933 to 1963. During her long service she took part in the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940, crewed by Royal Navy personnel.

The first D class ILB arrived on station during 1967. The current boat Barry Lazell arrived in August 2005, replacing Forest Row Choir that had been at the station since 1996.

The current ALB, Hermione Lady Colwyn, has had a busy career at Shoreham so far, but probably her most notable service was to the sailing vessel Trimley Maid, a service for which the coxswain and crew received formal recognition from The Institution.

There is a selection of archived crew pictures here.

Shoreham Lifeboat Coxswains:

J Austin 1865-1891

Hiram Maynard 1891-1910

William Young 1910-1911

Samuel Upperton 1911-1912

Frank Reeves 1912-1915

Samuel Upperton 1915-1920

Charles Arthur Smart 1920-1924

Frederic Laker 1929-1940

Joseph Edward Fairbridge 1940 - 1947

James Thomas Upperton 1947-1957