The station underwent extensive re-development in 2015/16 with a new purpose built boat house to accommodate its new Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat (AWB), and was opened in 2017.[3]
History
On 4 March 1875, prompted by the recent wreck, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's (RNLI) Committee of Management agreed to form a lifeboat station at Swanage. The ship's first service was on 13 March 1876, when it saved a ketch, the William Pitt of Poole, when it drifted ashore near Bournemouth. In 1890, the slipway was lengthened. In 1902, gas was laid onto the lifeboat house, and the station's first motor lifeboat was sent in 1928.[3]
1992 renovation
The Robert Charles Brown in 2010.
In 1992, to make room for the station's new Mersey-class lifeboat, work was carried out on the boathouse, which included an extension to the side of the boathouse and an increase in the roof's height. Work was also undertaken on the slipway.[3]
On 3 September 1992, the new boat was officially named the Robert Charles Brown (ON 1182), in honour of Robert Charles Brown BEM, who was a lifeboatman at the station for over fifty years.[3]
ILBs
The station in 2009, before it was rebuilt.
On 3 April 1993 a D-class Inshore lifeboat (ILB) was sent to the station for evaluation, and a new slipway was built the following year to accommodate it. In 1995, the ILB was permanently stationed and was named Phyl Clare 2 (D-475), and was placed on service on 8 April.[3]
In 2002, a shoreworks project including extra parking which cost £13,333 was completed in July.[3]
On 27 August 2003, a new ILB, the Jack Cleare (D-613) was placed on service, with Phyl Clare 2 (D-475) being withdrawn.[3]
On 12 July 2012, the D-class (IB1)Phyl & Jack (D-752) was placed on service, with the Jack Cleare (D-613) being withdrawn. This lifeboat was funded in part by a gift and bequest from Mrs Phyl Cleare.[3]
In December 2023, Swanage Lifeboat station welcomed Roy Norgrove (D-884) as their new Inshore Lifeboat, replacing Phyl & Jack which had been on service for 12 years.
2016 rebuild
In November 2014, the RNLI's contractors (BAM Nuttall) arrived on site to start modifications of the boathouse.[3] The Mersey-classRobert Charles Brown had its final slipway launch on 1 February 2015.[4]
On 8 April 2016, the Shannon-class lifeboat arrived, and was officially placed on service on 20 April. The Mersey-classRobert Charles Brown (ON 1182) left Swanage for the last time on 22 April, after more than 23 years of service. On 8 November, trials for the new Shannon class slipway began, and the boat moved into its boathouse on 14 December. On 13 February 2017, the Phyl & Jack (D-752) was moved into its new boathouse.[3]
On 29 April 2017, the Shannon-class lifeboat 13-13 was officially named the George Thomas Lacy (ON 1320), and the new lifeboat station was officially opened. The new lifeboat station was opened to the public on 1 May.[3] The new station cost a total of £8 million, more than £465,000 of which was raised locally.[5]
Rescues and Awards
Over the years, Swanage Lifeboat Station crew have been involved in many rescues. Ten RNLI medals for gallantry, five silver and five bronze have been awarded, the last in 1996.[3]
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