Since Easter this year we have had 2,603 members of the public visiting the station and being shown around the boats. Five hundred and nine of these came in 27 organised groups. This is a new record for Falmouth, which could possibly be put down to the rather dull weather we had this year, but also, we like to think, it is because it is the best free show in town!

On visiting the station, the visitors are shown around the inshore lifeboat, Eve Pank, and the Severn class all-weather lifeboat, Richard Cox Scott, by a dedicated team of volunteer lifeboat guides, ably coordinated, run and led by Robert Thompson, the Falmouth Lifeboat Station Visits Officer.

Judging from the comments in the visitors’ book, a large amount of goodwill and awareness has been generated for the RNLI in general and Falmouth lifeboat station in particular. We are constantly surprised by the number of local people who come along and tell us they hadn’t realised where the lifeboat station is situated, let alone that they can actually be taken on a conducted tour of the big all-weather lifeboat and the inshore lifeboat.

So, if you have missed us this year, keep a lookout for our posters when we re-open the doors next Easter, when our enthusiastic band of volunteers will be on hand to show you around and explain the complicated workings of the boats to you.

Meanwhile, group visits can still be arranged by phoning the station Visits Officer, Robert Thompson on 01326 250525. The station gift shop however is not closing and will remain open until just before Christmas for cards, gifts and souvenirs.

Please remember also that, while the station is closed for public visits during Winter, both lifeboats and their volunteer crews will remain at constant readiness, 24/7, to go to the aid of anyone in trouble at sea. So far this year the lifeboats have been called out on a total of 97 occasions, 64 for the inshore and 33 for the all-weather lifeboat.