While staying in our caravan in Hemsby, Norfolk, we visited the Caister Lifeboat Experience, just a few short miles down the coast. The Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service is one of the great success stories in lifesaving along the east coast of the UK. The lifeboat at Caister is actually one of only three independent lifeboat services in the UK. Self-supporting since 1969, when after 124 years the RNLI made the decision to stop funding the Caister Lifeboat Station. In 1969 the station had the record of saving the most lives around the UK coast.
The station now has the fastest lifeboat in the UK (The Bernard Matthews II), capable of 36 knots by using an advanced Dutch water propulsion design. Caister currently operates two boats. The Bernard Matthews II (a Dutch-built Valentijn 2000 offshore lifeboat) and the Fred Dyble (a 5m long Ribcraft onshore lifeboat).
Long History
A lifeboat at Caister was first known in 1791, being used by the Caister Beach Company to salvage ships wrecked on Scroby Sands. Local volunteers from Caister have always risen to the occasion and performed heroic rescues from Scroby Sands, which has proved treacherous for shipping.
There have also been some notable loss of human life by Caister Lifeboat (boats Zephyr and Beauchamp), which have cemented a reputation for heroism. Chief amongst these is the Beauchamp disaster in 1901 where 9 crew members were lost. During the inquest retired coxswain James Haylett said “They would never give up the ship. If they had to keep at it ’til now, they would have sailed about until daylight to help her. Going back is against the rules when we see distress signals like that.” His response coined the famous phrase “Caister men never turn back” and “Never Turn Back“. This phrase captures the spirit of Caister Lifeboat. The pub down the coast, towards California Cliffs, is named the ‘Never Turn Back’. At Caister Lifeboat, ‘Never Turn Back’ is enshrined as their faith and belief.
Our Visit to the Caister Lifeboat Experience
The lifeboat at Caister has a rich history. You can take part by visiting the old lifeboat on display at their Heritage Centre. The Caister Lifeboat Experience is open from 1st April until 31st October 2018, every Wednesday and Sunday, 10am to 3.30pm. Admission is free. The Museum in the Old Shed has a number of displays and activities for children.
Visitors can dress up in waterproof lifeboat kit and get up close to a real lifeboat – The Shirley Jean Adye – which operated at Caister from 1969 to 1991.
You can hear some of the Caister Lifeboat stories in state-of-the-art audio systems that have been installed around the shed to add to the display boards.
There are also various short films, including the Children’s ITV show Rosie and Jim – where Caister Lifeboat rescued them from their boat, The Old Rag Doll!
The Attraction
The Caister Lifeboat Experience offers something for all ages. There is a large carpark; the Operations Shed shows off the two current lifeboats. Here you can also get a lovely cup of tea and a slice of homemade cake.
Further down towards the sea is the Museum attraction Shed. Here you can easily spend up to an hour looking at the old lifeboat and immersing yourself in its history.
There is also a small shop for souvenirs where you can buy products – the profits of which support the lifeboat. Caister Lifeboat costs some £250,000 a year to run and it is totally non-profit. Any donations to the lifeboat are gratefully accepted. Volunteers are also welcomed.
Finally
Caister Lifeboat has a proud history. If you are ever in the area, visit it and have a look around. Donate if you can and tell everyone to visit and check it out. Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service (or Caister Lifeboat) is based at Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk and is totally independent of the RNLI.
