Portsmouth's station history

The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded collectively to Dr I T McLachlan, D Cook-Radmore and S Thayers for the rescue of six people from the fishing launch Silver Spray on 31 October. This was the first such award to an inshore lifeboat.

A Letter of appreciation sent to the crew in connection with the services on 6 September to the fishing vessel Condor 1.

The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to Robert John Faro and Roy Richards for the rescue of two people when a speedboat capsized on 26 March.

An 18' McLachlan lifeboat sent to station in July.

A Dell Quay Dory (17-001) sent to station in July for evaluation trials and withdrawn in June 1969; subsequently sent to Ramsgate.

The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to Dr I T McLachlan, P Bannister and R B Needle for the rescue of six people from several small craft which were in the vicinity of Langstone Harbour during the afternoon of 9 November 1969.

The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to R B Needle in connection with the rescue of two men and a boy from the motor cruiser Fidalgo which had grounded on the East Winner Bank at the entrance to Langstone Harbour in a strong to gale force south-westerly wind, a rough sea and poor visibility on the afternoon of 13 September.

The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to Helmsman John Fletcher and Vellum certificates to crew members Francis T Hawkins and Graham Jewell for the rescue of three men from the yacht Florya aground on the East Winner Bank in a gale force south-westerly wind and a rough sea during the afternoon of 18 June.

Bronze Medal awarded to Helmsman Dennis Faro in recognition of his courage and seamanship when he rescued at the second attempt, two injured men from the yacht Jo of Ryde in south-south-westerly gale force winds and very rough confused seas three miles south-south-west of Eastney Point on 5 August.

Bronze Medal awarded to Helmsman Sydney Thayers and William Hawkins and a Bronze Second-Service Clasp to Dennis Faro in recognition of their gallantry, dedication to duty, judgement and expert seamanship when the crew of two were rescued from the motor cruiser Valon in the Cockle Rythe area off Langstone Channel on 7 September.

An 18' McLachlan lifeboat withdrawn and replaced with an Atlantic 21.

The Committee of Management Resolved that the name of the station be amended to Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour).

A Framed Letters of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution awarded to Helmsman Stephen Alexander and crew members Adrian West, Paul Venton and James Beach in recognition of the services on 4 April when three people were rescued from Langstone Harbour after a Mayday message had been received from the yacht Patina. The lifeboat was exercising for the first time with a RAF SAR helicopter from HMS Daedalus and both the lifeboats and the helicopter were involved in the rescue. Letters of Thanks signed by the Director were sent to the crew of the yacht and the Chief of Operations sent a letter of thanks to the helicopter crew.

The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to Helmsman Martin Icke and crew members Paul Venton and Adrian West in recognition of the skill and determination displayed by them when the lifeboat assisted in the rescue of one of the crew of the yacht Dingaling which was in difficulties near Chichester Bar in a south-westerly gale and very rough seas on 9 October 1988.

A new boathouse to accommodate the station's D and Atlantic 21 class lifeboats was officially opened on 27 October by Rear Admiral Wilfred Graham, the ex-Director of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

The boathouse which cost over £90,000 to build was funded by a special appeal started in the 1980's by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Alderman Wyn Sutcliffe. It includes a first aid reception area, workshop, crew training/briefing room, an office for the Honorary Secretary and improved crew facilities.

The Committee of Management resolved that the name of the station be amended to Portsmouth Lifeboat Station as of 1 September. 

Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum was accorded to Helmsman Martin Icke in recognition of his high standard of seamanship and leadership when the lifeboat rescued two board sailors on 24 October 1995.  The lifeboat first rescued a man and his sailboard off the West Winner Bank in gale force winds and heavy seas, then a second sailboarder who was stranded on a submerged wreck in Langstone Harbour.

Atlantic 21 class lifeboat withdrawn and replaced by Atlantic 75 class lifeboat B730 which was placed on service on 26 November.

The new station D class lifeboat D554 Heyland II was placed on service on Monday 4 September 2000. This lifeboat was provided by a generous donation from Mr Frank Warren of Emsworth. Lifeboat D421 has been withdrawn.

A new boathouse extension completed in February at a cost of £140,743.

The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum was accorded to crew members Paul Clark and Tobi O’Neill and a Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Admiral Sir Jock Slater, awarded to Helmsman John Brooks, in recognition of the courage and determination displayed when the B class inshore lifeboat saved the life of a man who was trapped under Southsea Pier on the night of 10 January 2005.

The news station D Class D716 Brian’s Pride was placed on service 6 August 2009. This lifeboat was funded by a donation from Mr and Mrs B E Bass.

A new class of lifeboat, an Atlantic 85, B-846 Norma T was placed on service on 23 October 2010. This lifeboat was provided by the generous donations from Bob and Norma Thomas. Lifeboat B-730 CSMA Frizzell was withdrawn.