The Padstow lifeboat station is located at Mother Ivey’s Bay, Trevose Head, 5 miles around the coast from Padstow town. The latest, state of the art, lifeboat station was completed in 2006, replacing an adjacent building that had been operating since since 1967. The station now houses a large, modern 16m Tamar Class lifeboat called Spirit of Padstow, costing around £2.4m, donated by long term supporter, Miss H.B. Allen and capable of 25 knots.
Visit Padstow Lifeboat Station
Padstow lifeboat station is open to visitors from 10am to 4pm on weekdays and there is a lift for disabled access. There is dedicated parking on headland which is reached via a small toll road.
Throughout the year the lifeboat station organises fundraising events which you can take part in. These include a Padstow Lifeboat Open Weekend and Harbour Days.
Padstow lifeboat postcode and contact
Address: Padstow Lifeboat Station, Trevose Head, Mother Iveys Bay, Padstow, Cornwall. PL28 8SL
Telephone: 01841 520667
Padstow Lifeboat Station today
The lifeboat station is an impressive feat of architectural design and engineering. It’s a beautiful structure perched on pillars, towering above the sea with views across Mother Ivey’s Bay. It is reached by a raised walkway from the shore.
Padstow Lifeboat history
In 1856 the RNLI took over operation of the lifeboat at Padstow. There has been a lifeboat there since before 1825.
The lifeboat station was moved from Hawker’s Cove, at the mouth of the Camel Estuary, to Mother Ivey’s Bay in 1967 due to silting in the Camel estuary, which meant the lifeboat could not launch into deep water at all states of tide.
Padstow lifeboat timeline:
- Padstow Harbour Association built lifeboat (1827 – 1899)
- Steam lifeboat (1899 – 1929)
- Motor lifeboat (1929 – 1931)
- Motor lifeboat (1931 – 1967)
- The James and Catherine McFarlane (1967 -1984)
- The James Burrough, Tyne Class Lifeboat (1984 – 2006)
- The Spirit of Padstow, Tamar Class Lifeboat (2006 – current)
A much more detailed history of Padstow Lifeboat is on Wikipedia, along with a list of honours for the lifeboat crew.
Padstow Lifeboat design
The RNLI have an ongoing programme of lifeboat design and build to keep all the various boats in their fleet up to date. The strong, fast, safe and technologically advanced Tamar Class lifeboat is cutting edge. The RNLI are clearly proud of these developments and if you can’t get to visit Padstow Lifeboat Station you can find out all the details and specification on the Padstow RNLI website.