Iconic station preserved for good

Forty-two years after the Penlee Lifeboat Disaster, the former boathouse near Mousehole has been Grade II listed by the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The boathouse played a crucial role in saving lives since the 19th century and it will always be remembered for the final launch of the Solomon Browne on 19 December 1981. Sixteen people lost their lives that night, including eight brave lifeboat crew members in an attempted rescue of people aboard the Union Star cargo vessel.

Adrian Carey, RNLI Head of Region in the south-west of England, says: ‘Standing quietly inside the old Penlee lifeboat station, you can’t help but feel the incredible courage, determination and selflessness of the crew of the Solomon Browne. The listing will help ensure that the building, which stands in testament to the sacrifice the crew made that night, remains as a reminder and comfort to all those connected to Penlee RNLI and the wider RNLI community.’

We want to hear from you!

With our 200th anniversary around the corner, we want to hear from you. In the last 200 years, we’ve saved over 143,900 people’s lives – all thanks to generations of kind supporters like you. Why do you support the RNLI? Were you or someone you love rescued by our lifesavers? Saved by following our safety advice? What connects you to the lifeboats?

We would love to hear why the RNLI is special to you and you might get your story printed in Lifeboat magazine. Please share your story with us by emailing lifeboat@rnli.org.uk with the subject line 'My RNLI 200 story’.