Clacton on Sea Lifeboat Station

Established1878

RNLI From1878

Gallantry Medals24

StatusActive 24/7

All-Weather Lifeboat	Shannon Class Chris and Jo West (13-52)
Inshore Lifeboat	D Class Damar’s Pride (D-849)
Launch Method	Carriage
Address	Hastings Avenue, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 1BW
Telephone	01255 421471

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RNLI Station Histories Guidebook

Explore two centuries of RNLI lifeboat history, heroic rescues, and the enduring tradition of saving lives at sea.

Clacton-on-Sea has had an RNLI lifeboat since 1878, its first boats given by the Freemasons of England. With 24 gallantry medals, the station returned to all-weather cover in 2024 with a new Shannon-class lifeboat, working alongside a D-class.

The RNLI opened a station at Clacton-on-Sea in 1878, at the request of local residents as the resort grew rapidly. The first three lifeboats, all named Albert Edward, were gifts of the Freemasons of England. A modern boathouse was built in 2006.

16–18 January 1855

The brig Stanton on Gunfleet Sand

For a long service to the brig Stanton of North Shields, aground on the Gunfleet Sand, Silver Medals were awarded to Captain William Lewis of the smack Tyrall and Captain John Lewis of the smack Aurora’s Increase, who — with the help of the steam-tug Amazon — eventually brought off those still aboard after two days of effort.

October 1881

The steam lugger Madeleine

For rescuing the crew of sixteen of the Boulogne steam lugger Madeleine, the French Government awarded a Gold Medal to Coxswain R Legerton and Second Coxswain James Cross and Silver Medals to the rest of the crew.

Clacton holds 24 RNLI medals for gallantry — twenty-two Silver and two Bronze, the last voted in 1992.

Recipient	Award	Year	Service
Capt. William Lewis & Capt. John Lewis	Silver Medals	1855	Brig Stanton, Gunfleet Sand
Coxswain William Schofield	Silver Medal	1894	Brigantine St Alexal (Danish award)

* Summary data includes only verifiable awards and distinctions

The RNLI publishes an up-to-date record of this station's recent service launches on its official website, including dates, lifeboats involved and a summary of each call-out. View the latest launches directly on RNLI.org:

View recent launches on RNLI.org

Opens the official RNLI station page in a new tab.

The brig Stanton on Gunfleet Sand

The steam lugger Madeleine

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