Exmouth station received its first lifeboat in 1803, its first lifeboat being one of the original Greathead Lifeboats. Apparently the station ceased to exist for some years until it was re-established by the Institution in 1858. In 1859 the station received the Peake-type lifeboat Victoria which was housed in a new lifeboat house, the cost of both being met by Lady Rolle of Bicton.

During the late 1800s the stations lifeboats capsized on two occasions, with out loss, the lifeboats returning to their station safely. In 1903 a new lifeboat house was constructed at the cost of £700 to accommodate a larger lifeboat, the Joseph Somes. In 1933 the station received its first motor lifeboat Catherine Harriet Eaton.

On Christmas Day in 1956 the lifeboat was launched to assist a Dutch Motor Vessel. During this service two crewmembers were washed overboard, while both had been recovered one sadly could not be revived. In 1966 the station received its first D-Class inshore lifeboat. From 1983 the station received a Brede class lifeboat which was kept afloat, this being replaced with a Waveney class lifeboat in 1994, and the Trent class lifeboat Forward Birmingham in 1996.

In 2007 the Exmouth Lifeboat Station Appeal was launched which raised £2m towards the construction of a new lifeboat station at Maer Rocks, which became operational in November 2009. The new station housed both a Mersey class all weather class lifeboat and the D-Class inshore lifeboat. In 2014 the lifeboat station received its new Shannon class all weather lifeboat and its accompanying launch and recovery system.

For more information on the Emouth Lifeboat Station and its lifeboats CLICK

Since the station was established in 1803 there have been seven gallantry medals awarded, five Silver and two Bronze, the last being awarded in 2012.

The volunteer lifeboat crew provide a 24-hour search and rescue service 365 days a year along the South Devon Coastline, but none of this would be possible without the support of the public and their donations. It costs in the region of £250k a year to run and maintain the service in Exmouth, all of which comes from the generous donations of the public.

Through this page you can either make a simple donation to support the work of our volunteers by clicking on the "Give Now" button, or why not create your own JustGiving Fundraising Page by clicking on the "Start Fundraising" button and raise money by carrying out your own event or challenge.

Your contribution will help to fund the selfless work of our volunteer lifeboat crew in Exmouth, by doing so you will be helping to save lives around our coast and will be providing the best equipment possible to ensure the safety of our volunteers.