WHITBY RNLI

Merry Christmas from all of us here at Whitby RNLI!

OTD 1914, German battlecruisers shelled the English towns of Scarborough, Whitby and Hartlepool causing 137 deaths. Whitby was lucky with the bombardment only causing damage to property including the newly opened Coastguard Station and the Coastguard houses.

OTD 1924 the Runswick Bay Lifeboat, the RNLB Hester Rothschild rescued the Captain of the SS Clementine which was aground off Staithes in a NE Gale. Bronze Medals were awarded to Coxswain Tose and Second Coxswain Patton for their 'skill and gallantly' they showed in the rescue.

If you'd like a Whitby RNLI 2026 calendar, please email Neil whitby_museum@rnli.org.uk for details of how to order. Let's see if we can beat last year's total raised for the RNLI! Thanks so much for your support

This week we saw the first snow fall of the season on our all weather lifeboat, Lois Ivan. Thanks to crew member Keith Attridge for the photos. Who thinks we will get a white Christmas this year? ❄️

We had a fantastic weekend over the Halloween/goth weekend in Whitby, hundreds of you picked up our 2026 calendar, raising money for the RNLI. If you'd like to order one via post please email whitby_museum@rnli.org.uk

OTD 1951 the MV Czkziena of Rotterdam put out a request for assistance whilst off Whitby in a SE gale. The RNLB Mary Ann Hepworth was launched and escorted the Czkziena safely in to Whitby.

OTD 1914 Whitby residents awoke to the news that the HMHS Rohilla was ashore at Saltwick Nab and that towns Lifeboat, RNLB John Fielden was engaged in attempt to save the Ships crew & medical staff of 229. The battle to rescue the survivors was to last for the next two days.

For tonight's training exercise our volunteer crew spent time with Whitby Diving Club learning how to recover divers from the water and some dive kit familiarity. Thank you to the divers for giving up their time and sharing thier knowledge.

It is very sad news that the Duchcess of Kent has passed away today. The Duchess had a long association with both the RNLI & Whitby, she named three Lifeboats at the Port over the years, the White Rose of Yorkshire in 1974, the City of Sheffield in 1988 and the G&M Webb in 1996.

Enjoy this pic of Whitby's RNLB Mary Ann Hepworth launching at 2215hrs on the 30th August 1956 to the aid of the Fishing Boat 'Dorothy' which had suffered an engine failure six miles north of Whitby. The Lifeboat with the Dorothy safely in tow returned to port at 0210hrs

We are very grateful to Jim and Graeme who every year at Whitby Folk Week collect for the RNLI at the Endeavour Pub. This year they raised over £3000!

Time for a little refuel in Scarborough today, after our crew towed a yacht into the harbour. 🐟 🍟 We are currently covering a larger patch as Scarborough RNLI are temporarily off service for maintenance.

Thank you to everyone who donated at last weekend's flag weekend we raised an amazing £10,962!!

Paged tonight to two people cut off by the tide, they made their own way off so the crew were stood down. Busy week with 5 call outs in 4 days.

It's not long until our annual flag weekend, we hope you can join us.

Not your average donation! Today we received this donation in a special glass bottle etched by hand. We are so grateful for every penny raised for the RNLI, helping us to continue to save lives at sea.

OTD 1972 Whitby Lifeboat 'RNLB Mary Ann Hepworth' under the command of Coxswain Bill Harland rescued the two crew of the Yacht 'Susie G' which ran ashore at Saltwick Bay near Whitby in the hours of darkness. The Yacht became a total loss but the crew were saved.

Drop in water safety event today. Pop along to the lifeboat station today (Sunday) between 10-4 and meet our water safety team. They are on hand to give advice on and help to check over your lifejackets.

Call in with your lifejacket today to @WhitbyYachtClub and meet our water safety team who will check over your lifejacket before the summer season. Free event, 10-4