Portsmouth History
Portsmouth lifeboat station has also been called Eastney lifeboat station and Portsmouth (Langstone Harbour) lifeboat station.
1965 An inshore lifeboat (ILB) station was established with a D class lifeboat.
The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded collectively to Dr IT McLachlan, D Cook-Radmore and S Thayers for the rescue of six people from the fishing launch Silver Spray. This was the first such award to an inshore lifeboat.
1966 A Letter of Appreciation was sent to the crew for the rescue of the fishing vessel Condor 1.
1967 Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Robert John Faro and Roy Richards for the rescue of two people when a speedboat capsized.
A second lifeboat, an 18ft McLachlan was sent to the station in July. This was kept at moorings in the harbour at Eastney.
1970 Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Dr IT McLachlan, P Bannister and RB Needle for rescuing six people from several small craft in November 1969.
1970 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to B Needle for rescuing two men and a boy from the motor cruiser Fidalgo.
1972 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Helmsman John Fletcher for rescuing three men from the yacht Florya.
1973 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Helmsman Dennis Faro for the rescue of two injured men from the yacht Jo of Ryde.
1974 Bronze Medals were awarded to Helmsman Sydney Thayers, William Hawkins and Dennis Faro (his second) for rescuing two crew from the motor cruiser Valon.
1975 A new ILB boathouse was built for the two lifeboats. The 18ft McLachlan lifeboat was withdrawn and replaced with a B class Atlantic 21 lifeboat.
1988 Framed Letters of Thanks were awarded to Helmsman Stephen Alexander and Crew Members Adrian West, Paul Venton and James Beach when three people were rescued from Langstone Harbour.
1989 Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Helmsman Martin Icke and Crew Members Paul Venton and Adrian West for their assistance to one person from the yacht Dingaling.
1991 A new boathouse for the two inshore lifeboats was built, also providing improved crew facilities, training area, workshop and office.
1996 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Helmsman Martin Icke when the lifeboat rescued two board sailors.
The Atlantic 21 lifeboat was withdrawn and replaced by an Atlantic 75 lifeboat CSMA Frizzell.
2000 A new D class lifeboat Heyland II was placed on service, provided by a generous donation from Mr Frank Warren of Emsworth.
2002 A new boathouse extension was completed.
2006 Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum was accorded to Crew Members Paul Clark and Tobi O'Neill for their part in the rescue of a man trapped under Southsea Pier. Helmsman John Brooks got a Framed Letter of Thanks from the Chairman for his part in the same service.
Station honours
At Portsmouth lifeboat station the following awards have been made:
Framed Letter of Thanks 5
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 13
Bronze Medal 4
