Homepage News Our Team The Lifeboat Our Station Visits Gallery FAQs Contact Us Our Station 1988 – Cowes Rescue formed as an independent rescue service after a horrific crash between a hydrofoil and a fishing boat. 2007 – With increasing costs due to changes in legislation, it was no longer affordable to run an independent rescue service in Cowes. An approach was made to the RNLI… 2008 – Cowes Inshore Lifeboat ceases operations and Cowes RNLI Lifeboat Station comes into being. New kit arrives, including drysuits, pagers, lifejackets and a new lifeboat – the Atlantic 85 Lifeboat, B-810 ‘Tabbycat’ is placed on service. 2009 – The RNLI purchases the Old Customs House in Cowes, and begins fundraising to transform it into a lifeboat station. A £1m pound fundraising campaign is launched by actress Celia Imrie. 2012 – Following an extensive refit, Cowes RNLI moves to the ‘new’ station on the Parade in Cowes. The building is officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen in July, the only RNLI station she has opened. A brand new lifeboat is placed on service, the Atlantic 85 Sheena Louise (B-859). Over the following years, there were significant milestones for Cowes Lifeboat. 2015, January – Cowes Lifeboat is one of four RNLI lifeboats involved in the rescue of 25 sailors from the car carrier ‘Hoegh Osaka’ after she listed and ran aground on the Bramble Bank. Jan 2015 – Hoegh Osaka Jan 2015 – tug June 2015 RYS bicentenary Prince Michael of Kent talking to the crew. The Princess Royal, Princess Anne with her husband, Admiral Sir Tim Laurence Prince Michael of Kent being shown our lifeboat by Helm Mark Harker Our Crew meeting Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex. The opening of Cowes Lifeboat Station by Her Majesty The Queen in July 2012. The new Cowes Lifeboat Station is in one of the port’s most historic maritime settings. This lifeboat station began life as a Watch House for HM Customs Service in the very late 1600s. For centuries, small boats were housed here, ready to launch into the harbour to board and search suspicious vessels arriving in the port. In the 1980s, the boathouse was converted into an office space. Coronavirus We are still operational throughout the current crisis, however we are closed to visitors until further notice. We thank you for your understanding. Recent News Cowes Lifeboat Responds to Family’s Fire Alert﻿ August 31, 2021 Cowes and Calshot Lifeboats Attend Family Emergency August 31, 2021 Round Britain Row in Aid of RNLI Ends in Cowes August 31, 2021 Cowes Lifeboat Attends Scene of Children Rescue August 31, 2021 Solent Rescue of Engine-Failed Yacht August 14, 2021 If you see someone in trouble, on our near the water, dial 999 and ask for the COASTGUARD Person in the water Video Player 00:00 02:20 Missing person Video Player 00:00 02:31 Helicopter training Video Player 00:00 03:00 For our full Privacy and Security Policy, please click here © 2021 Cowes RNLI Lifeboat Station • Built with GeneratePress