RNLI Appledore Lifeboat Station

12/06/2026

Thank you for raising money for us

12/06/2026

Appledore, North Devon - The rooftop ceramic sculpture of the RNLI’s very first lifeboat rowing out for a shout. RNLI Lifeboat No 1 ‘The Volunteer’ arrived in Appledore on 28 February 1825. To mark the history of the oldest lifeboat and lifeboat station in the country, Maggie Curtis, an artist known for creating bespoke terracotta ridge tiles, finials, plaques, and maritime-themed architectural ceramics was commisioned to produce this beautiful artwork. The terracotta sculpture of ‘The Volunteer’ sits atop the Station’s fuel store opposite the Lifeboat Station.
www.terrymathews.photography

12/06/2026

Good Bye and Thank You Mollie Hunt.

As we prepare to say good bye and thank you to our Tamar Class Lifeboat ‘Mollie Hunt’, we remind you that she will be on Appledore Quay between 4.00-7.00pm on Sunday 14 June for the public to have one last look around and say your own good bye’s. We would like to share one of own crew’s tributes to her in the form of his photos. Thank you for sharing these incredible pictures Matt Rowe.

12/06/2026

Yesterday’s multi agency shout. David Frisby’s first shout as a recently qualified launch authority. Well done.

🚨🚨 ATTENDANCE REQUEST 🚨🚨

32/2026
11/06/2026
13:52

The team was paged by Falmouth Coastguard alongside HM Coastguard Senior coastal operations officers S12A and S12C, and Appledore RNLI, to assist with a multi-agency casualty evacuation from a vessel moored alongside Bideford Quay.

Our team provided water safety cover for Fire and Ambulance Service crews while they worked to safely extract the casualty from the vessel’s deck using the aerial ladder platform from Barnstaple Fire Station.

Once ashore, Coastguard Rescue Team members assisted with the transfer of the casualty to the waiting ambulance for onward medical care.

This was an excellent example of effective multi-agency working, ensuring the casualty received the care they needed safely and efficiently.

If you see anyone in trouble along the coast, on the estuary, or at sea, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

10/06/2026

Massive congratulations to James and Mike Buckland on both passing out as fully competent (tier 2) inshore lifeboat crew members.

In the midst of all the intensive training and assessments going on at Appledore RNLI to enable all the volunteer crew to transfer their skills from the current Tamar Class lifeboat to the new Shannon class which will replace the Tamar at station, hopefully at the end of this week, last night (Tuesday 9 June) the two Buckland brothers, James and Mike, passed out as qualified competent crew members on the inshore Atlantic 85 lifeboat.

RNLI Inshore Lifeboat assessments are structured, ongoing evaluations to ensure volunteer crew members possess the practical abilities, navigational skills, and command readiness required to operate safely in hazardous, scenario-based rescues.

The assessment structure is divided into distinct stages and roles to guarantee crew competency:
• Tier 1 Assessment: A foundational stage evaluating basic knowledge, practical ability, and decision-making in various operational scenarios. It tests fundamental seamanship, anchoring, and core boat-handling.
• Tier 2 Assessment: An externally assessed advanced afloat evaluation that builds on Tier 1. Crew are tested on collision regulations, navigation, taking command during "man overboard" drills, and advanced towing techniques.

Much commitment , hard work and training goes into passing these assessments and on behalf of the crew Bob Meller, Appledore RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, congratulates both of them and thanks all at station for helping with their training and thanks all those who fundraise, donate, and leave legacies to the RNLI, as without this, being a charity with no government financial assistance, there would be no RNLI.

09/06/2026

We now have a confirmed time for Mollie Hunt, our Tamar Class lifeboat to leave Appledore for the last time. It will be around 8 am Tuesday 16 June. She will be on the Quay between 4 - 7 pm on Sunday 14 June for people to go on board and say a final Good Bye.
Everyone is welcome

08/06/2026

08/06/2026

06/06/2026

A wonderful Italian evening of food, wine and music in the beautiful setting of Tapley Park - and all in aid of RNLI Appledore Lifeboat Station. Limited tickets so get yours now to avoid disappoitmnet later