RNLI Appledore Lifeboat Station

15/10/2026

Massive congratulations to our latest launch and recovery vehicle driver, Verna Green.

On Tuesday 13 October Verna Green passed out as fully qualified to drive the agricultural tractor used to launch and recover the boarding boat in all conditions, day or night.

The boarding boat is the most used of all the Appledore RNLI boats. Not only is it used to ferry crew to and from the all-weather Shannon Lifeboat, it also acts as a lifeboat in its own right for emergencies happening within the estuary, and with its shallow draft, it the most suitable lifeboat to use within the rivers at lower tides. Without a fully qualified tractor driver present, the lifeboat cannot be launched.

Already a member of the Appledore RNLI Fundraising Guild, Verna joined the crew early in 2024 and passed out as a Duty Launch Authority the same year. She also trained as shore crew passing out as a Head Launcher in December 2025 before starting her training as a lunch and recovery driver.

Congratulations Verna from all the crew at Appledore RNLI.

Picture Verna Green by Andy Francis

14/10/2026

Saving Lives at Sea - this episode was postponed but is now about to be aired as the last episode for this series of saving lives at sea.

This will now be broadcast on Tuesday 20th October with a later start time of 9:30pm on BBC Two and will also be available on iPlayer from 6am. Don't be late as we believe this is the first story on the program.

Published this last Monday. Hear the whole story, and Appledore RNLI’s involvement, on Tuesday 8 September 8 pm BBC 2 Saving Lives at Sea. Don’t be last as we believe we are the first Story.

08/10/2026

Appledore RNLI launched both Lifeboats to search for missing surfer in the dark

Yesterday evening, Wednesday 7 October, just before 8.00 in the evening, Appledore RNLI received a tasking request to search for a missing surfer off Croyde Beach who may have been caught in a rip current.

The first informant had also been surfing but had lost sight of their friend, and finding no sign of the friend in the water, on the beach, or at home, called the Coastguard. The lost surfer had last been seen over 30 minutes before the coastguard was called, and before it got dark.

Taking into account the length of time the surfer had been missing and the darkness, both lifeboats and the local Coastguard Rescue Team were tasked to search. After the boats had been launched and were underway, the missing surfer was found on the beach by the local Coastguards, the volunteer lifeboat crews were stood down, and returned to station

Picture: Appledore RNLI photo library, Inshore lifeboat night time launch. by Appledore RNLI.

06/10/2026

Local Christmas cards have arrived at our shop in Affinity and from today at our shop at Appledore Station. Once they’re gone they’re gone.

And yes those very cute Teddies are available too.

04/10/2026

The ever popular Appledore RNLI fundraising art show will be at North Devon Yacht Club on 24-25 October.

02/10/2026

We are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of a fellow crew member from Hastings RNLI. Our thoughts and prayers go to the family, friends and the crew. rest in peace and thank you for your service. Our station’s flag flys at half mast in respect

01/10/2026

Diary Date - Join us for a Horse Racing Fun Night on Saturday 14 November, 7.00 for 7.30 St Mary's Hall, Appledore.

01/10/2026

Shout no 62, Appledore RNLI, 2026

At 3.30 in the afternoon of Monday 28 September the inshore Atlantic 85 ‘Glanely’ was launched to carry out a welfare check on a 39 ft yacht which had been reported by a member of the public who was concerned. It was apparently adrift a quarter of a mile off Baggy Point with no one visible on board.

As the lifeboat approached the area, the volunteer crew could not see the yacht so they so asked Falmouth Coastguard if they could get more information from the first informant. About five minutes later the yacht was found. There were two people on board drift fishing and all was well. The Coastguard confirmed this yacht was the reported casualty; the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station at 4.15.

This was a false alarm made with the best of intent. The lifeboat crew would always prefer to be called out to a genuine false alarm than not to be called, and a person not to get the help they really need.

If you think someone is trouble on, or by, the water please phone 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Photo – Launching Atlantic by Graham Karslake - Appledore RNLI photo library

01/10/2026

Congratulations to Tomas Murray and Jo Woodley, on passing out as fully qualified crew members.

Both Tomas Murray and Jo Woodley joined Appledore RNLI earlier this year. Last week Tomas Murray passed out as a fully qualified crew member, followed by Jo Woodley this week.

Without shore crew no lifeboat can launch. Shore crew are a fundamental part of the RNLI and work as a team to ensure both our inshore lifeboat and boarding boat are launched from the lifeboat station, and are recovered from the water, safely in all weather conditions, day and night. They wear the pager and are on call 24/7/365 to help with any emergency helping to save lives at sea. There is much hard work and training required to become fully qualified and we send both of them massive congratulations.

A RNLI shore crew pass out is a final practical and theoretical assessment that proves a volunteer is fully competent to safely launch and recover lifeboats. It acts as the official qualification milestone, allowing the volunteer to become an active, operational member of the rescue team.


The pass out process evaluates trainees on a variety of critical skills:
• Launch & Recovery Operations: Demonstrating safe deployment of the lifeboat, which often involves operating heavy machinery like tractors and specialized winches.
• Seamanship & Rigging: Working proficiently with ropes, knots, and rigging equipment (such as the recovery net in rough seas).
• Communication & Teamwork: Relaying instructions clearly between the boat crew, tractor driver, and head launcher.
• Station Duties: Knowledge of fuelling, post-shout washdowns, and overall maintenance of the lifeboat and station equipment.
• Emergency Scenarios: A theory test and scenario-based drills to ensure you know how to respond effectively when the pager sounds.

Passing this assessment is the first major step for many volunteers, from which they can either remain as vital shore crew training further, if they wish, to become launch and recovery vehicle drivers, trainers, head launchers, or Launch Authorities, or proceed to on-the-water boat crew training.

As a Charity the RNLI is totally reliant on legacies, donations and fundraising to not only fund the operational costs of running the lifeboats and lifeboat stations, but also the kitting out and training of all crew. We thank everyone who contributes, as without this we would have no trained crew.

Well done Tomas and Jo.

Photos: Tomas Murray and Jo Woodley. By Appledore RNLI