| Portsmouth Lifeboat Station | |
| Map Type: | Hampshire |
| Pushpin Relief: | 2 |
| Location: | Portsmouth Lifeboat Station, Ferry Road, Southsea, Hampshire, PO4 9LY |
| Location Country: | England |
| Coordinates: | 50.7952°N -1.0298°W |
| Former Names: | Eastney Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour) |
| Building Type: | RNLI Lifeboat Station |
| Owner: | Royal National Lifeboat Institution |
Portsmouth Lifeboat Station is located at Eastney Point near Southsea, on Portsea Island, in the English county of Hampshire. It sits facing Langstone Harbour on one of the tributaries flowing into the Solent.[1]
A lifeboat station was first established on Portsea Island at Southsea in 1886 by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), but was closed in 1918. An Inshore lifeboat station was re-established at Eastney in May 1965.[2] [3]
The station currently operates two Inshore lifeboats, the Norma T (B-846), a lifeboat, on station since 23 October 2010, and The Dennis Faro (D-850), a smaller lifeboat, on station since 2020.[2] [4]
In 1886, the RNLI established a lifeboat station at Southsea. The location was considered to be an ideal position "whence a Life-boat can proceed, either under sail or in tow of the Admiralty or other steam-tugs, to shipwrecks along that coast and round the eastern approaches to Spithead."[5] [6]
The Heyland (ON 34), a 37-foot 12-oared 'Pulling and Sailing' (P&S) lifeboat, one with oars and sails, built in 1882, was placed at Southsea. The Southsea station was closed in 1918 when the RNLI decided that the area was adequately covered by the stations at and .[2] [7]
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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.[8]
More stations were opened, and in May 1965, a lifeboat station was re-established on Portsea Island. opened with the arrival of a Inshore lifeboat, the unnamed (D-48).[2] [3]
A boathouse was constructed at Eastney Point, facing Langstone Harbour. The first Inshore lifeboat (D-48) was paid for by funds raised by Hemel Hempstead Round Table. By 1967 the station was also operating a rigid hull inshore lifeboat, with the craft being kept at permanent anchor in the harbour at Eastney.[9]
At 03:15 on 7 September 1974, Eastney lifeboat station was alerted by Shoreham Coastguard. to red flares sighted in Langstone channel. The Inshore lifeboat D-184 was launched at 03:43, into a SSW force 9 gale. Arriving on scene 13 minutes later at 03:59, they found a man and boy, lashed both together, and to their boat, the motor cruiser Valon. With great skill in difficult conditions, the lifeboat was brought alongside, and both man and boy were recovered to the lifeboat. The return trip took twice as long as the outward trip due to the conditions, after which both casualties to transferred to the Royal Portsmouth Hospital. For this service, all three lifeboat crew were awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal, crew member Dennis Faro receiving a second-service clasp to his previously won bronze medal.[10]
In 1975 a new, Guide Friendship II (B-530) was placed on service, replacing the (A-505). A new boathouse was constructed to house both the B-class and D-class lifeboats. In 1978, the station name was formally changed to Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour) Lifeboat Station.[3]
The boat house was re-developed in 1991, at a cost of £90,000, and was officially opened on 27 October. Crew were provided with a changing/kit drying room, new toilet and shower facilities and a first aid reception room. Also within the building there is a workshop, training and briefing room, and a station office. In 1995, the station name was changed once again, becoming Portsmouth Lifeboat Station. An extension to the boathouse was completed in 2002.[3] [9]
In 2009, the lifeboat Heyland II (D-554) was replaced by a new lifeboat. It was named Brian's Pride (D-716), funded by longtime lifeboat fundraisers Brian and Marilyn Bass. The boat served for 11 years, and during that time launched 341 times, aided 250 people, and saved 26 lives.[11]
The current lifeboat, Norma T (B-846), was placed on service in 2010, provided by the donation of Bob and Norma Thomas.[3]
In 2020, Brian's Pride (D-716) was replaced by The Dennis Faro (D-850), The boat was named in honour of the late former helm of Portsmouth lifeboat, Dennis Faro, twice awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal for gallantry, who died in 2006 age 80.[4]
The following are awards made at Portsmouth[3] [12]
Dennis Faro, Helm - 1973
Sydney Thayers, Helm - 1974
William Hawkins, crew member - 1974
Dennis Faro, crew member - 1974 (Second-Service Clasp)
Dr I T McLachlan - 1965
D Cook-Radmore - 1965
S Thayers - 1965
Robert John Faro - 1967
Roy Richards - 1967
Dr I T McLachlan - 1970
P Bannister - 1970
R B Needle - 1970
R B Needle - 1970
John Fletcher, Helm - 1972
Martin Icke, Helm - 1989
Paul Venton, crew member - 1989
Adrian West, crew member - 1989
Martin Icke, Helm - 1996
Paul Clark, crew member - 2005
Tobi O’Neill, crew member - 2005
Francis T Hawkins, crew member - 1972
Graham Jewell, crew member - 1972
Stephen Alexander, Helmsman - 1988
Adrian West, crew member - 1988
Paul Venton, crew member - 1988
James Beach, crew member - 1988
John Brooks, Helm - 2005
Lifeboat Crew - 1966
| Op. No. | Name | In service | Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-503 | 1967−1968 | |||
| A-500 | 1968−1969 | |||
| A-503 | 1969−1970 | |||
| A-505 | 1970−1971 | |||
| A-508 | 1971−1974 | |||
| A-505 | 1975 | |||
| B-530 | Guide Friendship II | 1975−1981 | ||
| B-550 | City of Portsmouth | 1981−1996 | [13] | |
| B-730 | CSMA Frizzell | 1996−2010 | ||
| B-846 | Norma T | 2010− | ||
| Op. No. | Name | In service | Class | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-48 | 1965−1970 | |||
| D-184 | 1970−1983 | |||
| D-296 | 1984−1992 | |||
| D-421 | Lord Raglan | 1992−2000 | ||
| D-554 | Heyland II | 2000−2009 | ||
| D-716 | Brian’s Pride | 2009−2020 | ||
| D-850 | The Dennis Faro | 2020− | [14] | |