Registration number 3730
Status Registered
paula.palmer

Previous names

  • 1951 - 1951 Sarah Townsend Porritt

Details

Function Leisure Craft
Subfunction Lifeboat
Location Hayle
Vessel type Watson 46.9 Class Lifeboat
Current use Ongoing conservation
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No
Info required Yes

Construction

Builder Sussex Yacht Works Ltd, Shoreham-by-Sea
Built in 1951
Hull material Wood
Number of decks 1
Number of masts 1
Propulsion Motor
Number of engines 2
Primary engine type Twin diesel
Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Length: Overall
49.50 feet (15.09m)
Tonnage: Gross
23.00

History

Ex-RNLB SARAH TOWNSEND PORRITT - ON 886. She was built in 1951 and carried out 95 launches, saving 43 lives.

She served at Lytham St Annes from 1951 until 1977,  where she was launched 79 launches saving 32 lives.

She also served at the following stations in the relief fleet from 1977,  where there were  16 launches and 8 lives saved;

 Howth - 2 launches, with 1 life saved.

 Workington - 1 Launch, with 0 lives saved

Lytham St Annes - 3 launches, with 0 lives saved Tenby - 4 launches, with 3 lives saved

 Fleetwood - 6 launches, with 4 lives saved

In addition to the number of lives saved, 2 of her coxswain were awarded the Bronze medals for Gallantry.

She was sold out of service in 1982. Her current owner bought her in 2021 and is restoring her to seaworthy condition so she can be used for education about the RNLI and water safety, runs afloat for people struggling with mental health and also to keep wooden boat building skills alive, possibly by allowing her to be worked on by apprentices.  A  crowdfunder has been launched to help restore the vessel. 

Own this vessel?

If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk

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