Maryport opened the doors to the station in 1865 built on the southern side of the harbour, the site of the station today, over the next 85 years five life boats saw active service in the port. almost 100 call outs were attended and 190 lives saved. After a distinguished service, with one silver and two bronze medals the station was closed in 1949 due to a build up of silt in the harbour preventing the launch of the lifeboat, no sea based rescue service existed out of Maryport for the following 30 years.
1865 saw the launch of Maryport's first lifeboat the Henry Nixson,
A "pulling-sailing" boat powered by oars and sails, paid for by
Henry Nixson of Manchester and served for 21 years until 1886.
Henry Nixson approx 1865
1886 saw the launch of first of the two civil service no5 lifeboats to grace the Maryport station.
A crowd of around 7000 attended the launch of the £296 vessel, serving for 19 years before
being replaced in 1905 at a cost of £1011, the second civil service no5 served for 26years.
both boats were paid for by the civil service lifeboat fund.
launch of the Civil service no5, approx 1886
Maryports first motorised lifeboat the Priscilla Macbean was launched in 1931.
Paid for by Mr. E Macbean and named in memory of his wife, she served for three years.
Priscilla Macbean and crew. approx 1934
1934 saw the launch of Maryports last RNLI lifeboat the Joseph Braithwaite on September 27th
the boat was paid for out of the legacy of Joseph Braithwite who had been born in Wigton.
she served until 1949 when the station sadly closed its doors.
The Present independent lifeboat service was founded in 1978 by six local men, in response
to an accident at sea which cost the lives of three members of the towns community.
since then the station has had four rib (rigid inflatable boat) lifeboats, the current Humber
boat has been on station four years.
The current boat has a crew of twelve volunteers who are on call 24hours 365 days a year.
More research is been carried out and will be added when complete.