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Welcome to the official web site for the St Peter Port lifeboat!

The Guernsey lifeboat station is one of only four in the Channel Islands. Operating for over 200 years, the crews of the Guernsey lifeboats have been honoured with several awards for gallantry.

Spirit of Guernsey
Spirit of Guernsey battling the waves on Guernsey's south coast - picture by Jonathan Le Ray

The first Lifeboat Station on Guernsey was established at St Sampsons in 1803 following representation to the then States of Guernsey by the Douzaine (local parish council) of St Peter Port. The Station was taken over by the RNLI in 1861 and subsequently moved to St Peter Port, where it is presently based, in 1881.

The Station has seen a variety of lifeboats over the years and the current lifeboat is the Severn class 'Spirit of Guernsey'. The Island has always been proud to support the Lifeboat Station and crews; in 1973 a special appeal raised a considerable sum towards the cost of the Arun Class "Sir William Arnold".

Twenty years later an appeal was launched to raise £1 million to support the building of "Spirit of Guernsey". Thanks to the generosity of friends in Guernsey, Sark, Herm and further afield, the target was achieved within one year.

The RNLI relies entirely on voluntary donations.


Guernsey's safety and official fleet

Records show that the Guernsey Lifeboats have been launched over 1,330 times and saved almost 600 lives. Guernsey can be extremely proud of the many Coxswains and crew who have accumulated a most impressive number of RNLI gallantry awards with no less than 2 Gold Medals, 8 Silver Medals and 15 Bronze Medals being awarded since 1861. There were also 6 Silver Medals awarded before the RNLI took over the Station. In addition, the bravery and skill of local crews have been recognised by several foreign Governments with awards from France, Norway, Greece and Liberia. This show of bravery is almost unparalleled by any other RNLI Station in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

Picture by Brian Green

Registered Charity Number 209603 - for the Official RNLI web site, please visit www.rnli.org.uk


VESSEL DISMASTED

Just after three thirty this afternoon (Saturday 28th April, 2012) Guernsey Coastguard received a call from a French yacht, with two persons onboard, advising that the yacht had suffered mast failure and required assistance.

Vessel Aground

At 01:30 this morning (Sunday 15th April 2012) the yacht Ardel advised Guernsey Coastguard that they were aground on rocks off St Peter Port Harbour entrance (Goubeau Rock) with two persons onboard. The lifeboat crew were alerted and the Pilot boat St Sampsons which was at sea proceeding towards a commercial vessel bound for St Sampson’s Harbour diverted to the scene but because of the conditions and lack of water were only able to stand-by.

A Night to Remember

”A Night to Remember” Gala evening at St James was very well supported and the feedback to the evening, the auction items, food and the West End performers has been excellent.

The Sunday evening concert was also excellent.

Photos of the evening are available on https://picasaweb.google.com/ColinGuernsey/TitanicApril2012?authuser=0&f...

Red Dragon Engine Failure

“The Spirit Of Guernsey” was launched today, Wednesday 14th March, at 0919 to assist local fishing boat “Red Dragon” 10 miles north-west of Guernsey. Red Dragon had suffered a complete engine failure and was unable to proceed.

1001 “Spirit Of Guernsey” arrives on scene at the casualty “ Red Dragon”, tow being established.

1010 Tow established returning to St Peter Port.

1156 Lifeboat + “Red Dragon” arrive back in St Peter Port. Repairs to be carried out locally.

Annual General Meeting

The St Peter Port Lifeboat AGM is on Monday 16th April, 2012. 17:30 for 18:00 start in the training room at the Guernsey Yacht Club.

VESSEL UNSURE OF ITS POSITON AND WITH SUSPECT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

At 1945 11th March a local vessel on passage from Alderney to Guernsey called Guernsey Coastguard advising that he was in reduced visibility and unsure of his position. Communication was intermittent because of the electrical problem.

Two local vessels the motor launch Access Challenger and Yacht Edelweiss both offered assistance and proceeded to the last known position of the casualty.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!

COMMEMORATING 100 YEARS SINCE THE SINKING OF THE TITANIC

St. James Concert Hall

Saturday 14th April @ 7pm

The St. Peter Port Lifeboat returns to the Island

The St. Peter Port Lifeboat returned to the Island at 1155hrs yesterday, refuelled and was back in service yesterday afternoon at 1407 hrs.

“Spirit of Guernsey” had been in Poole for a refit since 26 October, which had included a number of upgrades to the electrical and engine management systems, engine maintenance, removal of minor hull blistering, followed by painting. Her return had been delayed by the recent bad weather.

The relief lifeboat “Roger and Joy Freeman” returned to the UK.

Serving Boat Officers

A new section has been added to the web site with the names of the Serving Boat Officers going back more than 100 years.

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Website produced and maintained by Colin S Le Conte, Digimap Ltd

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