West Mersea History

1963 An inshore lifeboat (ILB) station was established in July and a D class lifeboat was placed on service. The lifeboat was kept in a shelter next to the Yacht Club.

1972 The D class lifeboat was withdrawn and replaced with a B class, Atlantic 21, lifeboat.

1978 The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Helmsman Graham M Knott. He showed skill and seamanship when the Atlantic 21 lifeboat rescued the four crew from the sloop Blackbird which was aground at Sales Point in a north easterly gale and a rough sea on 31 July.

1979 Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Helmsman James Albert Clarke and Crew Member Jonathan Paul French for their assistance to 10 small craft in difficulties in the River Blackwater estuary in a southerly storm and steep breaking seas on 26 May. Jonathan French jumped into the sea to search under one of the craft to see if anyone had been trapped.

1992 A new boathouse and slipway, leading down to the tidal mud flats, were completed. The building provides room for the Atlantic 21 and a new launching and recovery winch, and it also includes a crew room and souvenir outlet.
HRH The Duke of Kent, KG officially opened the new boathouse on 10 September.

1993 Framed Letters of Thanks were presented to Helmsman John Frost and Crew Members Matthew Haward and Javis Wenlock after the lifeboat gave assistance to five yachts, two motor cruisers and a man stranded on Osea Island in force 10 winds on 30 August 1992.

2001 The B class Atlantic 75 lifeboat, B-761 Dignity, was placed on service. Dignity is named after Dignity Caring Funeral Services, whose employees enthusiastically raised the funds for the lifeboat.


Station honours

At West Mersea lifeboat station the following awards have been made:


Framed Letter of Thanks 3

Thanks of the Institution on Vellum 3