Esplanade: Fleetwood Lifeboat Station & Coastguard

Fleetwood Lifeboat Station and Coastguard is to be found at Ferry Beach on The Esplanade at the seafront. It’s to the right of the Lower Lighthouse and next to Fleetwood Ferry

Remember this message:

• If you are in difficulty at or near the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
• They’ll be there and arrange for other services to attend.
• HM Coastguard – To Search, To Rescue, To Save.

Fleetwood Lifeboat Station

Fleetwood has had a lifeboat station for more than 150 years, since 1859. There have been six incarnations in various places over the years.

The current purpose built premises opened in 2006. The modern building houses Fleetwood RNLI and HM Coastguard. Carry on reading to find out about the Coastguard. To the rear of the building is the lifeboat launch facility, straight into the Wyre channel.

Inside there are  various offices and a classroom, along with all the facilities for storing and maintaining the lifeboats. Take a look around The Esplanade where the Station is based in this video –

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea.

In Fleetwood, fishing, boats, the seashore and all things nautical are the fabric of daily life. With it come dangers so the RNLI is a vital charity which many people would have been in serious trouble without.

Fleetwood Lifeboat has a crew of 25 volunteers who go out in the boats and answer emergency calls. They save lives and rescue people. It could be nothing more than a minor skirmish with the water. Or a full blown, serious incident, which can and do claim lives.

Fleetwood RNLI has a separate Fundraising and events group. They raise money and awareness throughout the year, to support the work of the RNLI all over the UK.

Their fundraising is absolutely vital. The money pays for the equipment, boats, infrastructure, training, and much, much more, all of which enables the RNLI and lifeboats to operate.

RNLI Shop

Have you visited the excellent RNLI shop? It stocks a really good range of quality gifts and products. All of which help to raise vital funds for the charity which saves lives at sea.

An amazing group of volunteers staff the shop and keep it open. Pop in and take a look!

The RNLI relies entirely on donations from the public to function. Your generosity enables Fleetwood Lifeboat Station and over 300 others to operate around our shores. In 2015, it cost over £160 million pounds to keep our coastline safe.

Shop phone number – 01253 878050

New Fleetwood Lifeboats

Costing over £2 million, the new Shannon Class all weather lifeboat replaced the Tyne Class lifeboat in 2016. The new vessel, named Kenneth James Pierpoint, ensures the future of Fleetwood Lifeboat station for many years to come.

In the next clip see it sailing into the station, only a few days after its arrival in Fleetwood

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It also recognises the importance of the work carried out by the volunteer crew. The crew has received 15 awards for gallantry over the years.

The new Shannon Class is the first lifeboat to use water jets, instead of propellers. It can reach 25 knots, which is 50% faster than the ‘Tyne’ class lifeboat it replaced. The William Street had served the RNLI well, having been operational since 1989.

There’s more about the arrival of the Kenneth James Pierpoint further down this page.

The New Inshore Rib

After 11 years of sterling service with Fleetwood RNLI, the inshore lifeboat, D-719 Mary Elizabeth Barnes, retired on Tuesday 23 February 2021. She is replaced by another D class in-shore lifeboat, D-853 Harbet.

The ‘D’ class ILB’s have a crew of either two or three and reach speeds of 25 knots. It’s a vital asset to the volunteer lifeboat crew at Fleetwood, especially when rescuing bathers or walkers cut off by incoming tides.

D-719 Mary Elizabeth Barnes was a result of a bequest by Mary Preston, who made the donation in honour of her family, Barnes and her late Grandmother, Mary Elizabeth. She was launched 359 times whilst at Fleetwood, rescued 309 people, numerous animals and saved 13 lives.

One memorable rescue by D-719 occurred in February, 2019. A man and his dog, who had been out hunting, had become cut off near Stanah Marsh by the exceptionally high spring tide. By the time the volunteer crew of three had arrived in Mary Elizabeth Barnes, the man was chest deep in water and the dog was in danger of being swept away. The man was plucked from the freezing waters and one of the volunteers leapt into the water to rescue the dog.

Skip Frith, Helm on that day said: ‘It was a real race against time. The tide was being pushed in by very strong winds and another 10 minutes and it would have been too late.’

Harbet – named after Harold and Betsy

She’s named after Harold and Betsy Hollingsworth, from Cheadle in Cheshire. They generously bequeathed £54,000 to the RNLI for a new lifeboat. Harold had fond memories of Fleetwood, frequently sailing from the old fishing town. The new Fleetwood in-shore lifeboat was chosen in their memory.

Joe Bottomley, new Lifeboat Operations Manager at Fleetwood RNLI said: ‘The inshore lifeboat is the workhorse of the RNLI fleet. D-719 was a fantastic lifeboat and was always busy. We’re sure our new D class, Harbet, will be just as reliable and as successful. We thank the Hollingsworth family for their amazing bequest.’

The first Fleetwood ILB was an unnamed vessel. Numbered No.91 it arrived for a summer season at the beginning of May 1966. Since then, five more ILB’s, the latest named Mary Elizabeth Barnes, have been ‘on service’ at Fleetwood. They work alongside the larger all-weather lifeboat.

History of Fleetwood RNLI

In February 1859, the first lifeboat arrived in Fleetwood at its new boathouse, built on the beach opposite the North Euston Hotel.

When Captain Edward Wasey first appealed to the RNLI for a lifeboat in Fleetwood, he could have had no idea how successful the decision would be. Over more than 160 years RNLI volunteers have saved nearly 700 lives.

The first lifeboat was an unnamed, 30 foot, six oared ‘Peake’ class. Built at a cost of £140 it was kept on a special launching carriage. John Cox, Chief Boatman to the local Coastguard, was appointed Coxswain.

In contrast, Fleetwood RNLI latest Shannon class lifeboat, Kenneth James Pierpoint cost £2.2 million. It’s the 12^th all-weather lifeboat to serve at Fleetwood. She rests in the seventh lifeboat station to be built in Fleetwood, near the Euston Gardens. Alongside the all-weather lifeboats, Fleetwood RNLI has also had ‘D’ class lifeboats serving at the lifeboat station, since 1966.

Coxswain Tony Cowell said “It’s a tremendous feeling to be part of this town’s history. The lifeboat has been part of the community for 160 years and saved many lives. But it’s also been an important service to Fleetwood, operating alongside its historical fishing industry.

“However, without local support over the years it would have been impossible to continue. On the annual Lifeboat Day we like to say a massive thank you to everyone”.

Find out More

Fleetwood Lifeboat Station, The Esplanade, Fleetwood, FY7 6DN Tel: 01253 874000 (Dial 999 in an emergency)

• The work of Fleetwood RNLI

• RNLI Fleetwood on Facebook

• Fleetwood Lifeboat on Twitter @FleetwoodRNLI

• Link to Fleetwood RNLI external website

HM Coastguard Fleetwood

HM Coastguard Fleetwood formed way back in 1858. Stationed in several places since then, the Coastguard now shares the building at The Esplanade with the RNLI.

Over the last few years HMCG has undergone huge changes and behind the scenes it’s almost unrecognisable to those who knew it.  Better training and equipment and a steady increase in the number of incidents has evolved the Fleetwood team into a multi-role unit.

The 17 strong team of volunteers come from all walks of life, like all Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs). They give up a lot of their time to assist others in need.  Trained and tasked by the full time service, once out and about they’re mostly self-reliant.

CRT’s go out at all times of the day and night, in all weather conditions. They have very understanding and patient families and are experts in doing a day’s work after a sleepless night.

Coastguard Teams on the Fylde

Teams cover the coast according to need. Fleetwood is flanked by CRTs at Lytham and Knott End.

Fleetwood Coastguard operate with RNLI from Fleetwood and Blackpool and occasionally Morecambe and Lytham. Air support is provided from our own Rescue Helicopters (usually from Caernarfon in Wales). NCI Rossall Point and Beach Lifeguards also help where required.

What the Coastguard Does

A huge range of incidents can present themselves. Teams can also be asked to help other ‘Category 1’ emergency services. They are Police, Fire and Ambulance, plus their own operations.

Every year they deal with:

• mud or quicksand rescues,
• searches for missing or despondent persons,
• recovery of injured or deceased persons,
• pollution control,
• objects washed up on the foreshore (including ‘Royal Fish’ – whales, porpoises, dolphins etc.)
• to name but a few.

Teams are generally involved in anything which occurs in the marine environment, but recently the scope has widened.

Flood and Fire Assistance

HMCG Fleetwood is located in the centre of operational area 15 which stretches from Llandudno in Wales to the Scottish border.

Each area has a flood rescue capability to assist DEFRA anywhere in the UK.  Fleetwood and Knott End teams hold the extra vehicles and trailers dedicated to this task. They can be used year round, and they’re ready to respond when required.  That could be transporting kit to the scene or providing the man (and lady) power.

In 2018 many of the Lancashire and Cumbria teams provided logistical support for the Fire Service during the moor fires on Winter Hill. While filling up a water tank on one of the off-road vehicles, a Coastguard team member was asked “Are you lost?” Ironically it was by a London Fire Brigade firefighter!  A truly memorable experience which brought out the best in our emergency services and humanity in general.

The Only National 999 Service

Around 5% of the UK population live near the coast. A large number of people are also unaware that HMCG is the only national 999 service and has no county boundaries. Every part of the service is the same from kit to training.

History of HM Coastguard

Originally they operated with a boat kept behind the old Coastguard cottages on Abbots Walk. That was back when Promenade Road was a mere inlet from the sea. Then in 1859 the Officers formed the town’s first Lifeboat crew.

Later a new base was created on Princes Way. A pair of semi-detached houses provided homes for the 2 full time officers. Garages and office facilities were to the rear. Across the golf course at Rossall Point their permanently manned lookout operated 24 hrs a day.  The town also had what was called a Coastguard Rescue Company – not a business but a team dedicated to Breaches Buoy Rescue from shipwrecks.  The team were regularly champions in competitions until helicopters replaced the kit in the late 1980’s.

The tower at Rossall Point ceased to be 24hr around the same time as modern communication systems improved. Technology reduced the need for humans to keep visual watch for distress flares. In 1995 the tower was handed to the Council after a national review of building requirements. The base of it still remains, it’s next to the new tower on the Point.

HM Coastguard (HMCG) Fleetwood continued to operate from the offices on Princes Way until 2005.  Around the turn of the Millennium the team’s base was in poor condition and the old wooden RNLI station was due for replacement.  The two teams held a dream of co-locating – which was met with strong resistance from on high.  But the teams were determined that it could work! Approval was given after much discussion and negotiation.  As a smaller team HMCG didn’t need a lot of space and took a quarter of the new building on the old RNLI site.

More about the Fleetwood Lifeboat

New Home for the William Street1

Did you know that the retired Fleetwood RNLI lifeboat is still helping to save lives? The Tyne class lifeboat William Street, which retired from service in August 2016, has found a new home in Mallaig, in Scotland.

It’s currently being used by Pete Fowler at Seafari Adventures. Twice weekly, they transport the local GP and other health workers to communities on the Small Isles, Eigg, Rhum, Muck and Canna, at the southern end of Skye.

The William Street left it’s home at Fleetwood lifeboat station in August 2016 and Pete purchased her in December 2017. Transported to Ardrossan before sailing to her new home port, the only changes to the Tyne class lifeboat are a new colour scheme and a new name, Amelia.

Pete said, ‘Given the changeable weather we have in the area, it made sense to choose an all-weather lifeboat, to ensure a good service for our isolated communities.’

The William Street arrived at RNLI Fleetwood in 1989 and over its 27 years of service with the volunteer lifeboat crew, made more than 500 rescues and saved 527 lives. She was also involved in the Riverdance incident – working for over 20 hours in appalling weather on that fateful night.

William Street was a benefactor from Bury. He helped many charities when he was alive. The Bury Ladies Lifeboat Guild were instrumental in obtaining funds from the legacy left by William Street. Their association is still as strong as ever with Fleetwood RNLI.

Fleetwood RNLI say farewell to William Street

On 30^th August 2016 the volunteer lifeboat crew said a sad farewell to their Tyne class lifeboat, William Street. After 27 years of active service she was replaced by the Shannon class lifeboat, Kenneth James Pierpoint.

The lifeboat crew launched William Street at 8.30pm and went for one last trip up the Wyre channel. They were accompanied by the inshore lifeboat, Mary Elizabeth Barnes. She made her way to Fleetwood Marina before being lifted out of the water for the journey to RNLI HQ in Poole, Dorset.

Fleetwood lifeboat Captain Dave Eccles said, ‘It’s obviously very sad to see her go, she’s got us out of some tight spots over the years. But she’s helped us save lives for 27 years. It’s time for her to step aside and let the new generation lifeboat, the Shannon class, take over’.

Fleetwood RNLI name the new Lifeboat

23 July 2016 was a warm and sunny day at Fleetwood Marina. A perfect day for naming the new Shannon class Fleetwood RNLI lifeboat, Kenneth James Pierpoint, number 13-14.

Wing Commander Paul Bell (below), from 605 Squadron, was present to hand over the lifeboat over to the RNLI, on behalf of the donors.

Charles Hunter-Pease OBE, Chairman of RNLI was hardly into his welcome speech, before the pagers went off and the inshore crew rushed off to a call out. A fitting reminder of the commitment the volunteer lifeboat crew give to the RNLI.

The large crowd were entertained by the Sea Cadets Old Boys Band. High Sheriff of Lancashire, John Barnett OBE DL and Mayor of Wyre, Terry Rogers joined the celebration.

Kenneth James Pierpoint was a Flight Officer with 605 Squadron when he crashed and was tragically killed in 1942. His sister, Kathleen, left a substantial legacy to the RNLI and a wish that a lifeboat be named after him. Following a service, led by Bishop of Lancaster, Right Reverend Geoffrey Pearson, Wing Commander Bell officially named the lifeboat and it was, as tradition has it, christened with champagne.

Captain David Eccles, Lifeboat Operations Manager for RNLI Fleetwood said, ‘This has been a fantastic weekend for Fleetwood lifeboat. The amount of support we receive from the public never fails to impress us. We are so grateful for the legacies, donations and good will we receive. Without them, our work would be impossible. We can’t thank them enough.’

Arrival of the new Shannon Class Lifeboat at Fleetwood Lifeboat Station

Sunday 26 June at 1pm

The Band & Corp of Drums of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (Lancashire) attended and played at the arrival of the new Shannon lifeboat. The ‘Kenneth James Pierpoint’ arrived by sea at 1.14pm on Sunday 26th June, at Fleetwood Lifeboat Station.

The current lifeboat, ‘William Street’ and the D class inshore lifeboat, ‘Mary Elizabeth Barnes’, met the new lifeboat at sea and escort her to her new home.

It was a magnificent turnout of well wishers who lined the seafront and joined together in greeting the ‘Kenneth James Pierpoint’s’ arrival.

Click on the image below to see a full album of photos from the event

Who is Fleetwood Lifeboat Named For?

The new ‘Shannon’ class lifeboat replaces the ‘Mersey’ class boat, the ‘’William Street’’.

The new lifeboat is ‘’Kenneth James Pierpoint’’. But who was Kenneth James Pierpoint ?

Born in Altrincham in 1922, Ken attended local schools before going on to study at Cambridge University. He gave up his degree course to join the Royal Air Force through the Volunteer Reserves. His aptitude for flying and commitment to the RAF, quickly earned him the rank of Pilot Officer. Plus a posting to 605 Squadron, based at RAF Ford, in Sussex, in August 1942. But his career was short lived as he was tragically killed aged just 20.

The flying accident was just a few days after arriving at Ford, on the 28 August, 1942. Whilst undergoing night flight practice in a Boston aircraft, Pilot Officer Pierpoint was dazzled by searchlights. He crashed between Ford and Bognor Regis.

The RNLI’s benefactor Kathleen was 15 at the time. She lived with this tragic memory for a further 70 years. The RNLI and Fleetwood Lifeboat Station are very grateful to Kathleen that she chose to honour her brother and ensure his memory would live on for many years.

It’s fitting that the motto of 605 RAF Reserve Squadron was ‘’NUNQUAM DORMIO’’, translated as ‘I never sleep’. A perfect fit for the lifeboat named after him.