RNLI Cleethorpes

27/08/2026

👏 After 53 remarkable years of helping people in Cleethorpes and across the Humber, Michael ‘Mick’ Fowler has hung up his wellies.

Mick’s service began at just 16 years old with the Cleethorpes Vigilantes, before becoming an Auxiliary Coastguard Officer at 18.

When Cleethorpes Lifeboat Station opened in 1987, Mick joined the volunteer crew aboard the D class lifeboat, later becoming Senior Helm. At 45, the mandatory retirement age for boat crew at the time, he crossed the Humber and joined the crew at Spurn Point, spending three happy years aboard Humber’s newly arrived Severn class lifeboat.

In 2016, a chance encounter outside Cleethorpes station brought Mick back to where he belonged. He rejoined as a Deputy Launching Authority before taking over as Lifeboat Operations Manager in 2017. In 2024, he returned to the Deputy Launching Authority role, which he held until standing down today.

Mick’s extraordinary commitment, experience and unmistakable sense of humour have made a lasting impact on generations of volunteers and countless people within our community.

Although he is stepping away from operational duties, we’re pleased to say he’ll still be popping into the station for a brew, and hopefully continuing his proud tradition of wearing shorts throughout winter! 🥶

Thank you for everything, Mick. Enjoy a thoroughly deserved retirement and plenty of adventures with your grandchildren.

What a legacy. What a legend. 👏🏻

20/08/2026

Here's some great advice on staying safe at the beach from one of this year's Lifestyle teams!

18/08/2026

Busy few days for our volunteer crew at Cleethorpes RNLI 🌊

On Sunday evening, our D class lifeboat was tasked to assist a sailing yacht experiencing engine difficulties. The yacht was safely towed back into Grimsby Docks and all was well.

Tonight, both our B class and D class lifeboats launched on exercise for another busy evening of training.

Crew members Joe, Mark and Anna continued their navigation preparation ahead of an upcoming assessment, while the rest of the crew carried out helm training and developed their local knowledge.

Whether it’s responding to a shout or spending hours training on the water, it all helps keep our volunteer crew ready for when they’re needed.

Another busy few days on the Humber. 🌊

14/08/2026

🚨 A busy week for Cleethorpes RNLI! 🚨

Our volunteer crew have responded to six taskings since Monday, involving a real mix of incidents around our coastline.

We’re also seeing some very high spring tides in Cleethorpes this week. If you’re heading to the beach or walking along the coast this weekend, please check the tide times before setting off. The tide can move incredibly quickly and easily cut you off.

Tomorrow is 999 Day in Cleethorpes, and our lifeboat station will be open to the public. Come down, have a look around, meet some of our volunteers and learn more about the work we do.

Stay safe, enjoy the coast and remember, if you see someone in difficulty at sea or along the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. 🌊

12/08/2026

We look forward to seeing you all at Cleethorpes 999 day this Saturday!

As well as our shop being open as normal, you'll be able to take a walk around our boathouse and get up close with both our lifeboats and meet some of the crew.

We'll be running a tombola, and The Cheese Den will be selling a special edition RNLI Cleethorpes cheese!

(plans may change due to operational needs)

The Cleethorpes Neighbourhood Policing team are delighted to announce that Cleethorpes 999 Day will return this weekend on Saturday 15th August 2026, 10:00-16:00 hours, and we would like to invite you, your families, and friends to come along and enjoy what promises to be another fantastic day down on Kings Parade, Cleethorpes between RNLI Cleethorpes Station and Cleethorpes Leisure Centre!

We have been working away behind the scenes to organise and run this years’ free community event which celebrates the incredible work of the emergency services and partner agencies. There will be a wide range of displays, demonstrations, vehicles, activities, and opportunities for the public to engage with those who serve and protect our communities every day.

Last year's event attracted thousands of visitors, and we are working hard to make 2026 even bigger and better. Whether you're attending in uniform, supporting a stall, or simply enjoying the day with family and friends, your support would be greatly appreciated.

Please help spread the word and share this wide and far. We look forward to welcoming you to Cleethorpes on 15th August 2026 for what promises to be a memorable day, thank you.

05/08/2026

A busy week behind the scenes at Cleethorpes RNLI.

It’s been another productive week for our volunteer crew, both afloat and ashore.

🌊 Sunday & Monday saw our Atlantic 85 Loving You (B-942) launch on exercise with two different crews, heading beyond Spurn Point and well into the North Sea. The exercises focused on extending our navigation skills outside our usual area of operations, alongside helming practice, local knowledge and emergency procedures.

🧽📚 Tuesday evening, while neither lifeboat launched, training continued ashore. Some of our newer shore crew spent the evening with one of our helm volunteers, developing their knowledge and skills as they continue progressing through their training. The evening also gave the wider crew the opportunity to carry out a thorough deep clean of the station after a busy few weeks of exercises, training and operational activity. While volunteering often means launching lifeboats and training at sea, keeping the station, equipment and facilities clean and maintained is just as important in ensuring we’re always ready to respond when the pager goes.

❤️ Earlier on Tuesday, members of the crew visited the Freeman Arms in Grimsby to receive another incredible £1,000 donation. They were also presented with a signed RNLI flag, which will take pride of place at the station. The pub has raised thousands of pounds for charities over the years, including the RNLI, and we’re incredibly grateful for their continued support.

🚜 This week also marked the end of an era. We said goodbye to our long-serving County tractor, which has faithfully supported countless launches over the years. While it’s always sad to see a trusted piece of station history leave, we’re excited to welcome its replacement, ensuring we’re ready to continue launching our D-class lifeboat Deanna & James Adams (D-889) safely and efficiently for many years to come.

Whether we’re training at sea, developing new volunteers, maintaining the station, supporting our local community or preparing our lifesaving equipment, every task plays a part in keeping Cleethorpes RNLI rescue ready.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support Cleethorpes RNLI.

25/07/2026

Great effort 👍🏻🛟

https://www.facebook.com/share/1E3gpRfKLe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

25/07/2026

A busy Saturday for our volunteers!

If you’re heading down to GrubFest on the Cleethorpes seafront this weekend, be sure to pop over and say hello to our fantastic fundraising team. They’ll be there throughout today raising vital funds to help save lives at sea, so if you’re visiting this brilliant local event, we’d love to see you.

A huge thank you to the organisers of GrubFest for continuing to support local charities and businesses. It’s great to see the event return for its fourth year and bringing so many people together.

Earlier this morning, some of our volunteer crew joined colleagues from Humber Lifeboat Station at Cleethorpes parkrun. With perfect running conditions and a fantastic turnout, it was a great opportunity to promote fitness, teamwork and spend time with fellow volunteers away from operational duties.

Thank you to everyone who supports the RNLI, whether that’s by volunteering, fundraising, donating or simply stopping by to say hello. Every conversation and every donation helps us continue saving lives at sea.

19/07/2026

It has been another busy weekend for the volunteer crew at Cleethorpes RNLI.

On Saturday evening, our D class lifeboat was tasked to the Whaleback Sandbank at Humberston Fitties following reports of five people and two dogs cut off by the incoming tide.

Our volunteer crew located the casualties, recovered them safely from the sandbank and returned them to the Welfare Steps, where they were handed into the care of HM Coastguard.

On Sunday morning, our volunteer crew were back on the water for a scheduled training exercise involving both our Atlantic 85 and D class lifeboats.

Training focused on navigation, helming and towing techniques, working alongside the local sailing yacht Calypso, helmed by our RNLI helm, Matt. Regular exercises like these allow our crews to develop and maintain the skills needed to respond safely and effectively when the pager sounds.

While training was taking place, two members of our volunteer crew represented Cleethorpes RNLI at a service at St Peter’s Church, Cleethorpes. Our Lifeboat Operations Manager, Andy Burden, attended alongside trainee navigator Anna Gregory.

A reminder to anyone planning a trip to the coast this summer:

🌊 Check the tide times before heading out.
📞 If you see anyone in difficulty at the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

As always, thank you to our volunteers, HM Coastguard and everyone who continues to support the RNLI.

15/07/2026

Another busy week at RNLI Cleethorpes.

Over the past week our volunteer crews have been training across both our Atlantic 85 B-942 “Loving You” and D Class D-889 “Deanna & James Adams”, continuing to develop the skills that help us respond when the pager sounds.

Training has included:
• Navigation
• Local knowledge
• Launch and recovery procedures
• Net recovery
• Rope work and other shore-based exercises

Alongside our regular training programme, our D Class lifeboat has also launched to three separate incidents over the last week, assisting with a variety of callouts including people cut off by the tide and medical emergencies on and around the water.

Every exercise, every launch and every hour spent training is carried out by volunteers, giving up their time to ensure we’re ready whenever we’re needed.

If you’re heading to the coast, please take a few moments to check the tide times, be aware of your surroundings and, if you see anyone in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.