The first records of a lifeboat being stationed at Padstow date back to 1825 when the local people of the town raised a subscription to build "The Mariners Friend". This was before the establishment of the RNLI. The boat was rowed by a crew of 6-8 men and had no protection against the elements. The crew were drawn from the local community, comprising fishermen, farmers, coastguards & people from many other walks of life.

The life boat disaster of 1900 will never be forgotten by the townspeople of Padstow. In that one night 2 lifeboats the "James Stevens No 4" & "Arab II" both foundered in an attempt to save the crew of a fishing trawler at the mouth of the estuary, all but 3 of the lifeboat men were drowned.

Since the original lifeboat The Mariner's Friend in 1823 the station has had several new boats culminating in the fast slipway boat 17-04  "The Spirit of Padstow" a 17metre Tamar Class state of the art all weather boat capable of speeds in excess of 25 knots, As a result of acquiring this vessel it was necessary to build a completely new boathouse and slipway adjacent to the existing boathouse. The old facilities have been demolished.
Since being stationed at Padstow the new boat has had many shouts involving rescues of persons and  vessels in distress, as well as many other sadder calls to recover  bodies of drowned persons.  There is a very comprehensive museum at the lifeboat station at Trevose Head which can be visited at times when the station is staffed.                            

The museum archives hold many photos and other artefacts connected with the lifeboat service.

For a more detailed insight into our lifeboat history come and view our displays, you can also purchase a copies of "A short History of the Padstow Lifeboat" by George Phillips & "Fragments of Padstow History by B. Kinsmen both of which are available locally.  click here for details

Stop Press 
Trevor Sharpe is writing a new book documenting the history of Padstow's Lifeboat Station. Trevor would appreciate any appropriate material from local sources. His contact e-mail

Lifeboat Display
at the Museum