# Minehead Lifeboat Station

Minehead Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Minehead, Somerset in England. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1901 but since 1976 two inshore lifeboats (ILBs) have been operated, a B Class rigid-hulled boat and an inflatable D Class.

## History

Minehead is on the Somerset coast at the east end of the cliffs of Exmoor. The RNLI built a boathouse at a cost of £785 in 1901. For two years the boat was launched across the beach using skids but from 1903 a carriage was provided. The boat house was modified in 1950 by the addition of a garage for the tractor that now pulled the lifeboat in and out of the sea. In 1993 the building was modified again to take a new boat and the opportunity was taken to modernise the crew facilities and add a gift shop alongside.
In 1939 the station's pulling and sailing boat was withdrawn and replaced by a motor lifeboat. In December 1941 the lifeboat's coxswain and signaller took the coxswain's own boat out in response to reports of wreckage, but it struck a naval mine and was sunk with the loss of both their lives.
In 1970 an ILB was allocated to the station; it was kept in the tractor garage. This proved a success so on 20 May 1973 the all-weather lifeboat was withdrawn. The following year a second, larger ILB arrived. It was the first RNLI station to use a Tooltrak tractor to launch its D-class lifeboat. This replaced an older Argocat tractor in 2011.
Fundraising started in 2021 to modernise the facilities and to enlarge the boat house so that both lifeboats could be launched more quickly.

## Description

The stone-built boat house is situated at the western end of the town beyond the harbour where there is access to water at all states of the tide. There is a hard standing in front of the boat house but boats are taken down the pebble beach when launched. The original boat house has been extended with a garage at the back and a fund-raising gift shop on the west side.

## Area of operation

The Atlantic 85 can be launched in Force 7 winds (Force 6 at night) and can operate at up to 35 knots (65 km/h) for 2½ hours. Adjacent lifeboats are at Ilfracombe Lifeboat Station to the west, and Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Station to the east. If a larger all-weather boat is needed in the area it may come from Ilfracombe or across the Bristol Channel from Barry Dock.

## Minehead lifeboats
### Traditional lifeboats (1901–1973)

| At Minehead | ON | Name | Built | Class | Comments |
| 1901–1927 | 477 | George Leicester | 1901 | Liverpool | |
| 1927–1930 | 494 | Reserve No.9F | 1902 | Liverpool | Previously named Hopwood. It was the Portrush Lifeboat from 1902 until 1924. It was sold in 1934 and was last reported converted to a yacht on the River Thames in 1977 carrying the name Gladrian. |
| 1930–1939 | 626 | Arthur Lionel | 1912 | Liverpool | First stationed at Saint Peter Port. |
| 1939–1951 | 816 | Kate Greatorex | 1939 | Surf | Minehead's first motor lifeboat. Sold in 1952 and awaiting restoration at Migennes in France. |
| 1951–1973 | 882 | B.H.M.H. | 1951 | Liverpool | Minehead's second and last motor lifeboat. Became part of the RNLI relief fleet in 1973 then stationed at Clogherhead from 1981. Sold in 1984 and now on the River Thames at Chiswick named Queen Eilene. |

### Inshore lifeboats (from 1970)

* Richard and Elizabeth Deaves (2007–2023)
* Christine (2009–2020)
| At Minehead | Op. No. | Name | Class | Model | Comments |
| 1970–1983 | D-177 | — | D | RFD PB16 | |
| 1974–1978 | C-500 | — | C | Zodiac IV | The first C-class lifeboat in 1972, it initially carried Op. No. D-500. |
| 1979–1994 | B-544 | Catherine Plumbley | B | Atlantic 21 | Remained in use until 1998, mostly in the relief fleet. |
| 1984–1992 | D-295 | — | D | RFD PB16 | |
| 1992–1999 | D-420 | Leslie D | D | EA16 | |
| 1994–2007 | B-708 | Bessie | B | Atlantic 75 | Stationed at Baltimore until 2012. |
| 1999–2009 | D-549 | George and Christine | D | EA16 | |
| 2007–2023 | B-824 | Richard and Elizabeth Deaves | B | Atlantic 85 | |
| 2009–2020 | D-712 | Christine | D | IB1 | |
| 2020– | D-847 | Exmoor Belle | D | IB1 | |
| 2023– | B-939 | Penny J II | B | Atlantic 85 | |