St Agnes History

1968 The RNLI established an inshore lifeboat (ILB) station in April. A D class lifeboat was placed on service for the summer months only. The lifeboat was funded by the BBC children's programme Blue Peter and was named Blue Peter IV.

1970 A new boathouse was built.

1978 A Silver Medal was awarded to Helmsman Peter David Bliss when the ILB rescued an injured surf lifesaver trapped at the base of the cliffs in Flat Rocks Cove close to Porthtowan Beach on 17 July 1977. The ILB was taken through a very narrow channel sea in a very heavy surf reaching 14ft in height at times. Crew Members Barry Garland and Roger Radcliffe were each awarded The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum. The crew also received The Ralph Glister award for the bravest inshore lifeboat rescue in 1977.

1983 Helmsman Peter David Bliss was awarded a certificate of commendation from the Royal Humane Society for wading out through the surf to help two lifeguards bring a swimmer ashore and resuscitate him.

1994 The BBC children’s programme Blue Peter provided the fourth D class lifeboat for the station from their ‘Pieces of Eight’ appeal.

1996 Due to the increase in incidents around the coast the lifeboat was placed on all-year service.

The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded Crew Member Peter Roberts who was helming the D class lifeboat when a surfboarder was rescued as he was being washed out to sea in gale force winds and rough seas.

2002 The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Helmsman Andrew Northcote and Framed Letters of Thanks were presented to Crew Members Rory Bushe and Carey Morgan for rescuing a man and a girl from inside a cave at Chapel Rock.

2005 The new D class lifeboat, D-641 Blue Peter IV, was placed on service.

Silver Medal for gallantry awarded to Helmsman Gavin Forehead and The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to crew members Rory Bushe and James Watkins for the rescue of a girl and a man, who had been windsurfing and were washed into a cove.

Station honours

At St Agnes lifeboat station the following awards have been made:

Framed Letter of Thanks 2

Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 6

Silver Medal 2