# Flint Lifeboat Station

Flint Lifeboat Station is located in the shadow of Flint Castle at the end of Castle Dyke Street, in Flint, a town situated on the south bank of the River Dee estuary, on the North Wales coast.
An Inshore lifeboat was first stationed in Flint by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1966.
The station currently operates a D-class (IB1) Inshore lifeboat, Lady Barbara (D-795), on station since 2016.

## History

In 1964, in response to an increasing amount of water-based leisure activity, the RNLI placed 25 small fast Inshore lifeboats around the country. These were easily launched with just a few people, ideal to respond quickly to local emergencies.
More stations were opened, and in May 1966, a lifeboat station was established at Flint, with the arrival of a D-class (RFD PB16) Inshore lifeboat, the unnamed (D-37).
At 20:05 on 26 February 1983, the Flint Inshore lifeboat (D-252) was launched to the aid of the cabin cruiser Heron II, in difficulty 1 mile (1.6 km) south east of Mostyn Docks. In dark and difficult conditions, the D-class (Zodiac III) lifeboat arrived to find the boat with the anchor out, but aground and taking on water. Skilfully bringing the lifeboat alongside, two crew had to board the vessel, and carry off one of the survivors, who had collapsed. Helmsman Robert Alan Forrester was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal, whilst the two crew were accorded 'A Framed Letter of Thanks, signed by the Chairman of the Institution'.
A new purpose-built boathouse was constructed in 1985. The D-class lifeboat had previously been housed in one of the temporary 'Hardun' type boathouse, in use at many stations since the mid-1960s.
In 1990, during hurricane force north westerly winds and very high tides, the Abergele suburb of Pensarn, and the seaside resort of Towyn suffered heavy flooding. Flint lifeboat crew worked 14 hours each day between 26 February and 1 March to help those people stranded, and succeeded in bringing one hundred and eighty people to safety. The station was awarded a special certificate in recognition of the extraordinary efforts made.
On 5 June 1991, local man Graham Oare set out in his 17 ft (5.2 m) open fishing boat, and rescued three fishermen, after their boat capsized and sank off Flint Castle. In a tradition going back to 1824, when any rescuer may be commended by the Institution, Graham Oare received a 'Framed Letter of Thanks, signed by the Chairman of the Institution'.
On Tuesday 19 December 2006, the D-class (IB1) Sir Y Flint (D-658) was placed on service, one of a new class of Inshore lifeboat. This lifeboat had been funded by The Flintshire Lifeboat Appeal.
After serving for 10 years, Sir Y Flint was replaced in 2016 by the current Inshore lifeboat, Lady Barbara (D-795). This new lifeboat, costing £48,000, was partially funded by a £35,000 donation from local RNLI supporter David Sadler, in memory of his late wife Barbara, who died in 2015.

## Station honours

The following are awards made at Flint
* RNLI Bronze Medal
       Robert Alan Forrester, Helmsman - 1983
* A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution
       Denis James Smith, crew member - 1983
       Terrance Henry Jacklin, crew member - 1983
       Mr Graham Oare - 1991
* A Special Framed Certificate, for service to Towyn and Pensarn during extreme flooding
       Flint Lifeboat Station - 1990
* British Empire Medal
       Robert Alan Forrester, Lifeboat Operations Manager - 2020QBH

## Roll of honour

In memory of those lost whilst serving Flint lifeboat.
* During a service launch, 9 April 2001
       William E. Towers (Deputy Launch Authority and shore helper, suffered a severe stroke, and died the following day)

## Flint lifeboats
### Inshore lifeboats

| Op.No. | Name | In service | Class |
| D-37 | Unnamed | 1966 | D-class (RFD PB16) |
| D-104 | Unnamed | 1966–1976 | D-class (RFD PB16) |
| D-252 | Unnamed | 1976–1988 | D-class (Zodiac III) |
| D-361 | Tangent I | 1988–1996 | D-class (EA16) |
| D-510 | Marjorie Helen | 1996–2005 | D-class (EA16) |
| D-483 | C John Morris DFM | 2005–2006 | D-class (EA16) |
| D-505 | Arthur Bygraves | 2006 | D-class (EA16) |
| D-658 | Sir Y Flint | 2006–2016 | D-class (IB1) |
| D-795 | Lady Barbara | 2016– | D-class (IB1) |
* ↑ Op.No. is the RNLI's Operational Number carried on the hull or vehicle.