Weymouth lifeboat station, in Dorset, was established in 1869 to replace Portland station, which had closed down in 1850. Funded by the Earl of Stratford, the lifeboat gave assistance to vessels in distress on the north and east sides of Weymouth Bay.

The station is positioned in one of Britain's major leisure boating areas and as such is often the lifeboat service's busiest station.

This requires particular dedication from the volunteer crew, who know that they can expect to hear the insistent bleep of their pagers on average every three days.

The activity of the station is reflected in its remarkable haul of nine Silver Medals and five Bronze Medals. The youngest ever recipient was 11-year-old Frederick Carter in 1890. He and 16-year-old Frank Perry saved one of two men whose boat had capsized in Weymouth Bay in a strong east wind and heavy surf. The two boys rowed out to the rescue despite the strong risk of their own boat being either swamped or capsized in the broken water.

The last medal, in 1988, was awarded to the current honorary secretary- Derek Sargent. The lifeboat Tony Vandervell. under Derek's superb leadership, rescued five of the crew of the catamaran Sunbeam Chaser.

which had engine and steering problems 12 miles south of Portland Bill, and escorted her safely in a westerly storm and heavy breaking seas in total darkness.

The station currently operates an Arun and an Atlantic 75 but the Arun class Robert Edgar is approaching the end of its life.

After launching 189 times and helping 213 people, it is due to be withdrawn and replaced by a new Severn class lifeboat. This isn't the only change for Weymouth. In summer 2001, Weymouth beach was one of the pilot sites for beach rescue lifeguards and the scheme will continue in 2002.A major joint operation It isn't only leisure traffic that calls on the service of the Weymouth lifeboat. Its position in the centre of the English Channel means that it is often asked to help commercial vessels. These can involve a wide range of rescue facilities.

In the early morning of 22 November, the roll-on-roll-off ferry Britta Oden was experiencing engine trouble 16 miles south of Portland Bill. With her engines stopped and a Force 9 Strong Gale blowing, she was rolling heavily.

Helicopters scrambled from Lee and Chivenor, together with lifeboats from Weymouth, Exmouth and Alderney. Other ships, the warship HMS Kent and the tug Anglian Duke also stood by.

They first attempted to get the tug to tow the Britta Oden to Portland but sea conditions were too bad so it was decided to tow her to Southampton. At this point the Yarmouth lifeboat was also launched. Once it arrived on scene the Weymouth lifeboat was able to return to station, after 12 hours at sea.KEY FACTS 1B69 Station established 1969 Centenary Vellum MEDAL HISTORY Silver 1825,1842.1B57, 1861UZI, 1890U2), 1949, 1977 Bronze 1948,1949.1965, 1972. 1988 Thanks on Vellum 1961,1965.

1967,1969.1972U21.1977, 1978.1985.1986 THE BOATS Arun class lifeboat QN-1073 Robert Edgar Built 1980 Funding Mrs Esme Edgar and Mr Anthony Edgar * Atlantic 75 lifeboat B- 746 Phyl Clare III Funding A gift from Jack andPhyl Cleare to celebrate their Golden Wedding CREW Coxswain; Andy Sargent Mechanic Colin Pivey Plus 22 volunteer crew Honorary Secretary.

Derek Sargent (Derek received the Bronze Medal in 1988 when Coxswain/Mechanic at Weymouth) Chairman EW'Bill' Ludlow Hon Treasurer Mary Carter Hon Medical Adviser DrWill Bowditch SERVICES IN 2000 Weymoutfi was the busiest RNLI station m the whole of the UK and Republic o( Ireland during 2000 Launches 133 Lives saved 24 People landed 42 People brought in 84.