The Falmouth Lifeboat station was established by the Institution in 1867 as the result of several wrecks occurring in the vicinity.

1829 Gold Medal awarded to William Broad for the rescue. Using an open boat, of 11 people from the brig Larch which ran onto rock in a heavy gale on 7 January 1828.

1831 Gold Medal awarded to Lt W James RN for the rescue of the crew of 10 of the French brig Le Bon Pere that ran onto a reef off Towan in a heavy gale on 6 December 1830. Lt James swam through tremendous surf with a rope tied around his body and was successful in reaching the vessel on the second attempt and was able to bring a rope ashore enabling 10 people to be saved.

1838 Silver Medal awarded to Lt W G Field RN for the rescue by means of a boat, of the crew of two of a coal barge that was wrecked at Falmouth on 14 February 1838.

1880 Silver Medal awarded to Mr N G Hatch, Mate of the ship Berkshire for putting off in a boat and saving two of the crew of the brig Marys which was wrecked on Black Rock during a heavy east north-easterly gale and high sea on 22 October 1880.

1916 Silver Medals awarded to Lt E Badger RE and Lt R Stephens RNR for the rescue in a 12ft dinghy of one man on 3 November 1916 in a whole south south westerly gale and a very heavy sea from the HM Transport Ponus. The lifeboat had launched to the vessel three times and rescued 19 men but the second mate was left aboard, before the lifeboat could reach the vessel again the he jumped overboard as the vessel was on fire. It was impossible to get him into the dinghy so he was tied to the stern and rowed ashore. Very great risk was run in effecting the rescue.

1940 Silver Medal to Coxswain J C Snell and Bronze Medal to Motor Mechanic C H Williams for the rescue of the crew of 35 from the steamer Kirkpool on 19 January 1940. A gale was blowing from the south east and a heavy sea was running. Two tugs were at anchor near the vessel but were unable to get near her and were riding heavily to the gale with seas breaking over them. The Kirkpool herself was dragging rapidly towards the shore. She struck the beach and lay there broadside on to the breaking seas. Her boilers lifted as she struck and the engine room was filled with steam. The lifeboat was handled by the Coxswain with great skill and daring.

1967 Centenary Vellum awarded.

1967 Framed Letters of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution awarded to Coxswain W B West, Assistant Mechanic R F Twydle and Shore Signalman C J Barnicoat in recognition of their services on 4 September 1967, when they boarded the lifeboat boarding boat and rendered assistance to the French trawler Martine Jean Paul which had grounded at Trefusis Point in a westerly gale with a short choppy sea. Each man was also granted an additional monetary award.

1972 Bronze Medal awarded to Coxswain Walter Lewis Brown in recognition of his courage, determination and seamanship when the Swedish Schooner Mina, and her crew of 10 were saved off Dodman Point in a south-westerly gale on 8 August 1972. Medal Certificates awarded to the remaining six crew members involved in this rescue.

1978 The Bronze Medal for gallantry awarded to Coxswain Arthur West in recognition of the courage, skill and determination he displayed when the lifeboat went alongside the jack-up barge Mer d'Iroise which was in tow of the tug Englishman and in danger of becoming unstable and took off the crew of six approximately eight miles east of The Lizard in a north easterly gale and heavy seas on 28 November 1977. Medal Certificates to the remaining five crew members involved in this rescue.

1979 A special framed certificate awarded to the coxswain and crew for display at the station in recognition of their services in connection with numerous yachts in difficulties during the Fastnet Race on 14, 15 and 16 August.

1985 The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum accorded to Coxswain Vivian Pentecost in recognition of his skill and leadership when the lifeboat Elizabeth Ann escorted the French trawler St Simeon which was sinking 13 miles south of Lizard Point and proceeding towards Plymouth until relieved by the Penlee lifeboat in an easterly violent storm and reduced visibility because of rain and snow squalls and a very rough sea on 15 February. Vellum Service Certificates to Acting 2nd. Coxswain Alan Barnes, motor mechanic Donald MacLellan, Assistant Mechanic Graham Pearce, D.L.A. Captain David Barnicoat, emergency mechanic Chris Price and lifeboat men Bjorn Thomason, John Barton and Michael Wilson for this service.

1987 A Chairman's Letter of Thanks was sent to Mr John Pentecost for assistance given to the Falmouth McLachlan class lifeboat on 27 March. The lifeboat launched to a capsized dinghy. Mr Pentecost was close by in his work boat and rescued four people from the sea and transferred them to the inshore lifeboat which ferried them ashore to awaiting ambulances.

1987 Framed Letter of Thanks to Helmsman Royston Prynn and lifeboat men Dave Nicoll and Snowy Angove and to Coxswain Vivian Pentecost and the crew of the Elizabeth Ann. A Letter of Commendation was also received from the District Controller, Falmouth Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre. This was inconnection with the rescue from a dinghy at night of four persons including a 10 year old girl.

1992 Letter of Thanks to Coxswain Alan Barnes when he was On Scene Commander when the Falmouth and Fowey lifeboats, a helicopter and 7 other vessels where involved in a search for a man missing from the fishing vessel Wilhamina Maria. The Falmouth boat being at sea for nearly 15 hours.

1996 Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum was accorded to Coxswain Alan Barnes in recognition of his high standard of seamanship and leadership when the Elizabeth Ann lifeboat rescued the crew of two and saved the catamaran Cloud Nine which had a broken mast and fouled propellor south of Dodman Point in gale force winds and high breaking seas on 26 November 1995. Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum was also accorded to crew member Peter Wood in recognition of his courageous actions when he boarded the catamaran in the adverse conditions and prepared the casualty for towing by cutting clear the rigging, constructing a bridle and streaming a drogue. Vellum Service Certificates were awarded to other members of the crew, 2nd. Coxswain Mike Wilson, Deputy Coxswain Roger McClarity, Mechanic Tim Julian and lifeboat men Ken Avis, Alan Rowe and David Proud for this service.

1999 Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Mr David Acland, presented to Coxswain Alan Barnes and Crewman Peter Woods for saving the tug Dido ashore at Manacle Point on 22 August. This was a difficult rescue performed close inshore amidst rocky outcrops in confused seas and gusting winds. Letter of Thanks to remaining crew members, Deputy 2nd. Coxswain Roger McClarity, Mechanic Tim Julian, Assistant Mechanic John Murray, Chris Price, Snowy Angrove and John Palmer for this rescue.

2002 A Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution Mr Peter Nicholson presented to crew members Mark Pollard and Marc Thomas for climbing a cliff from the Atlantic class lifeboat beached below on 3 April 2002 to assist two girls who were stranded on the cliff face until they and the lifeboat men could be recovered to safety above by a coastguard rescue team.

2006 Bronze Medal awarded to Coxswain Mark Pollard in recognition of his fortitude, leadership and outstanding seamanship when the Falmouth all weather lifeboat assisted to save the m/v Galina and her crew of eight on the 2 November 2005. The service was carried out at night in extreme weather with force 10 winds gusting to force 11. Despite the severe conditions a tow was established and the Galina was slowly towed to meet a coastguard vessel, which took over. The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mairiners Royal Benevolent Society awarded their prestigious Lady Swathling Trophy for outstanding seamanship to Coxswain Pollard for this service. Medal Certificates awarded to 2nd Coxswain Peter Wood, Mechanic David Proud, Navigator Dave Nicoll, and Crew Members Carl Beardmore, Andy Jenkin and Tom Bird.

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