Whitstable's station history

An inshore lifeboat (ILB) was established and a D class lifeboat sent to station in July. The ILB was kept at East Quay.

D class lifeboat withdrawn and replaced with an Atlantic 21 lifeboat.

The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to Helmsman David Victor Foreman in recognition of his skill and efficiency he showed when the inshore lifeboat rescued the crew of three of the motor fishing vessel RX216, which had run out of fuel and was dragging her anchor towards the Street Bank in a north easterly gale and a rough sea on the night of 25/26 February.

The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to Helmsman Michael A Judge in recognition of his determination and seamanship when the lifeboat rescued the crew of three of the catamaran Rumpleteazer which had a broken steering gear and was making water in a north easterly gale, a very rough sea and poor visibility in the darkness of the evening of 19 April.

The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to Helmsman Michael Gambrill in recognition of his skill and judgement when the lifeboat landed 12 anglers from the fishing vessel Duke Senior which was aground and in difficulties off Pollard Spit in a westerly storm and rough seas on 19 January.

Single storey extension to the side of the boathouse was constructed to improve the crew facilities. These facilities included a fuel store, turntable store, a general storeroom, drying room and a souvenir sales outlet with a display area.

Lifeboat B560 capsized after being launched on service to three angling boats in Herne Bay on 3 January. All three crew were well and suffered no injuries.

New boathouse completed and the Atlantic 75 Oxford Town & Gown arrived at the Station.

Bronze Medal awarded to Helmsman David Parry in recognition of his courage, seamanship and skill when the lifeboat saved the crew of three from a sinking dory in a Force 8 gusting 9 Gale and rough seas on 28 May 2000.

Ex crew member Michael Judge awarded Member, Order of the British Empire (MBE) in Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Her Majesty The Queen awarded David Andrew Lamberton the MBE for services to the RNLI as a helmsman and operations manager. 

The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to Jonathon Carter in recognition of his courage, determination and seamanship when he saved the lives of two people, and also their yacht on 4 September 2009. A yachtsman was overboard from his yacht, yet still tethered to it, and his wife was unable to render any practical assistance. In rapidly changing circumstances, requiring fine judgement and skill by Carter in the gale force winds and rough seas, the man was recovered to shore. The yacht was secured by the Sheerness all weather lifeboat which had been subsequently launched at the request of Whitstable Lifeboat Station, and the Whitstable inshore lifeboat was then able to bring the woman to a place of safety. The RNLI’s Walter and Elizabeth Groombridge Award for 2009 was also made for this service.

The new station Atlantic 85 class lifeboat B-877 Lewisco was placed on service 24 July 2014. This lifeboat was funded by the generous bequest of Constance Amy Lewis. Lifeboat B-764 Oxford Town & Gown has been withdrawn.