New inshore lifeboat for St Peter Port RNLI as RNLI marks 200th anniversary

The new vessel will be named Harold Hobbs and is funded by generous donations from the residents of Guernsey. Harold’s story features in a special episode of Saving Lives at Sea with broadcaster Dermot O’Leary, on Tuesday 12 March on BBC Two.

Harold Hobbs was killed on 29 June 1940 while serving on the Guernsey lifeboat, the Alfred and Clara Heath. He was shot from a German aircraft at the start of the occupation of the Channel Islands. The Guernsey lifeboat was en-route to Jersey to pick up the Jersey lifeboat, the Howard D, because the authorities did not want it to fall into the hands of the enemy. Approaching St Aubin’s Bay the Germans started to fire at the lifeboat. The lifeboat was taken straight into the bay, and the crew dived under their seats for safety. When they took a head count, it was found that Harold Hobbs had suffered a direct shot.

Jason Hobbs is the current volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at St Peter Port RNLI. Harold was his great uncle, and Jason’s grandfather, great grandfather and great uncle were also active on the lifeboat.

Jason said: ‘It is an incredibly moving tribute to my great uncle’s memory that our new lifeboat will bear his name, honouring his incredible sacrifice and inspiring our generation to continue doing all we can to save lives at sea, like the generations before us did. The generosity of our donors never fails to inspire, and we are indebted to our local community for enabling us to have this state-of-the-art lifeboat, which will serve the waters of the Bailiwick for years to come. We’re eagerly awaiting her arrival in the spring.’

The new lifeboat is being built in the Inshore Lifeboat Centre on the Isle of Wight. The lifeboat has comprehensive navigational equipment essential for manoeuvring around the island’s navigational hazards and varying sea states, and enables the station to continue supporting Guernsey, and Sark and Herm. Once she arrives, the volunteer crew will undergo familiarisation training on the new inshore lifeboat, before she goes on operational service.

The story of Harold Hobbs is also set to feature in a special episode of popular TV show Saving Lives at Sea, on BBC Two on Tuesday 12March at 9pm. The episode, commissioned to mark the charity’s 200th anniversary and guest presented by long-time RNLI supporter Dermot O’Leary, will take a closer look at RNLI crews’ involvement in the Second World War.

Viewers will be immersed in this decisive period of history, with Dermot visiting lifeboat stations around the coast, including St Peter Port, uncovering the stories of the pivotal role that the RNLI and its crews played in some of the most important events of the time, including the evacuation of Dunkirk and the occupation of the Channel Islands.

Dermot said: ‘As an ambassador for the RNLI and a huge history fan, it was a privilege for me to uncover some of the untold stories that saw ordinary volunteers get involved in some of the most extraordinary events of the Second World War. The brave men and women we heard about left a real impression on me, as did the present-day volunteers I was able to meet along the way, who are still saving lives at sea today.’

Also on 4 March, a collection of stamps celebrating the RNLI’s contribution to the Bailiwick of Guernsey is being launched by Guernsey Post. The stamps feature a collection of images of Guernsey and Alderney lifeboats, depicting moments in history, right up to the current lifeboats today.