St Bees RNLI

01/06/2026

Did you know our RNLI launch vehicle is a specifically designed amphibious tractor!? 🚜 🐸

Our Talus MB-4H is a four-wheel drive “bendy” tractor, weighing 10.5 tonnes, with a top speed of 22mph and plays an important role in our mission to save lives at sea.
- The driver can be seated facing forwards or backwards, with a steering wheel and throttle pedal for each direction.
- The cab, once enclosed, is fully waterproof and can be operated in a sea depth of 1.6m.
- In the event of the machine getting into difficulties it can be battened down and left on the sea bed and recovered at low tide. The cab is specially designed to fully flood in order to provide stability, when submerged.
- It is the first tractor to be specifically designed for the task of launching lifeboats.
- It has a fully hydrostatic engine which drives a hydraulic pump that directs high pressure fluid to motors connected to each axle.
- Later this year our tractor will be going for a major refit and coming back as a Mk2, which means more power, brighter LED light units and an electronic trailer hook up among other upgrades.

📸 Special thank you to Karen Macmillan for the brilliant photos taken during a recent tractor training session for our crew.

What other facts/insights would you like to read about? Let us know below 👇

21/05/2026

⭐️ LITTLE LIFEBOATERS ⭐️

We had a lovely time the other day with the children from the Little Explorers, who loved looking around the station and being part of our volunteer crew for the day! 😃
Thank you for the brilliant card 😍

11/05/2026

🆘 We Called - You Answered! 🆘

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came down last week to take part in our annual MayDay Mile Event 👏🏼
Thanks to you we smashed our goal of 505 miles and raised a total of £1,448.11 for our station!
Shout out to St Bees Triers running club & Melo Velo cycling club for helping to rack up those miles on the day 🏃🏻‍♀️ 🚲

As always we’re blown away by the kindness and support from not only our local village but visitors and holiday makers too 🫶🏼

Our lifeboat is a vital asset to the area and the donations we receive help to keep our volunteers safe by providing essential equipment and training.

Keep your eyes peeled for more photos and videos to be posted soon! 👀

06/05/2026

From all of us at St. Bees RNLI, we extend our heartfelt condolences to our fellow search and rescue colleagues at Marine Rescue NSW, following the tragic incident in Ballina, Australia.

The loss of their two volunteers is felt on a global scale and is a sobering reminder of the immense danger search and rescue volunteers face every day at sea. We recognise the profound impact tragedies like this have on families, crews and communities. Our thoughts are with them all.

We honour the courage, commitment and selflessness of those involved, and of everyone who dedicates their lives to saving lives at sea.
They will not be forgotten.
Fair winds and following seas 💙

Last night was the darkest night ever experienced by Marine Rescue NSW.

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers answer the call for help 24/7 and last night six members from Marine Rescue Ballina did just that. They launched with a single mission, to save lives on the water and assist a yacht, reported to be in difficulty off the South Ballina break wall.

Tragically, two of our volunteers lost their lives during the response.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said the devastating loss is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by volunteers who serve their communities.

“These two men were serving their local community and have made the ultimate sacrifice to help others.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of the deceased, their fellow crew members, the brave radio operators who handled the difficult communications during the incident, the entire Marine Rescue NSW family and the wider Ballina community during this incredibly difficult time.

“We are supporting our volunteers and their families through professional counselling and chaplaincy support.

“We ask that the privacy of those involved and their families be respected during this difficult time,” Commissioner Andrews said.

04/05/2026

We're at 250 miles so far! Thank you to St Bees Triers Running Club for their support!

We're well on track to reach 505 miles by 4pm

Please join us and help us to reach our goal 😃

03/05/2026

TODAY. 505 MILES. ONE DAY. CAN YOU HELP? 🏃‍♂️💨
​Tomorrow is the May Day Mile SOS Challenge! We’re turning the St Bees seafront into a giant mileage machine to raise vital funds for RNLI

​✅ Just Turn Up From 9am: No sign-up required.
✅ Everyone Welcome: Walk, run, jog, skip!

​Come down, grab a sticker, and do a lap for the crew. Let’s make every mile count! ⚓

Cakes, games and refreshments!
​

26/04/2026

🚨 Mayday Mile SOS – St Bees RNLI’s Fundraising Challenge! 🚶‍♂️🏃‍♀️🚼

📅 When: May Day Bank Holiday Monday, 4th May

📍 Where: St Bees RNLI Station

🎯 Goal: To cover 505 miles in just ONE day to raise vital funds for St Bees RNLI!

Join us for a fun, family-friendly event where every step counts towards saving lives at sea! 🌊🚤 Whether you run 🏃, walk 🚶, or push a pram 👶, you’ll be helping our volunteer lifeboat crew by raising funds for essential training and equipment.

Refreshments, tombola, games and RNLI shop merchandise available so invite family and friends along too!

🔹 How it works:

✅Turn up between 9am and 4pm

✅2 laps of the course = 1 mile

✅ Every pound raised supports RNLI lifesaving efforts 💙

We’re putting out our Mayday call – will you answer? 📢 Get involved, have fun, and help us reach 505 miles in one day!

💰 Want to raise extra funds? Message us for a sponsorship form and get friends & family to support your miles throughout the month of May!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CmFjUzreC/
🚑🌊

02/01/2026

We would like to thank Claire Shackley and all the organisers of the St Bees Soap Box Derby for their efforts putting together this year's event. On New Year's Day the crew were presented with a cheque for a staggering £1500! The event also raised another £1500 for a member of the community who had recently been diagnosed with leukemia.
Lifeboat crew members Stephen Clifford and Gary Shackley took part again this year, coming away with a trophy for their efforts! 🏆 Well done!