Lifeboat on show for 100 years Redcar’s Zetland museum, the home of the world’s oldest surviving lifeboat, celebrated its centenary on 1 May.

The Zetland lifeboat arrived at Redcar in 1802, predating the foundation of the RNLI by 22 years, and saved more than 500 lives in her 78 years of service. After being retired, she was put in storage before going on display to the public in 1907.

Current Redcar Senior Helmsman Mike Picknett, whose great great uncle was Coxswain of the Zetland and lived above the old boathouse (now the museum), was among the guests at the anniversary ceremony.

The museum’s honorary curator Eddie Ransom says: ‘Everyone who sees the Zetland is amazed by how courageous the early lifeboatmen must have been. They put to sea rowing an open boat without any of the specialist equipment today’s crews have, and saved hundreds of lives.’ The museum is open every day from 11am–4pm, except Mondays, until the end of September. Entry is free but donations from visitors will help the crews of the Zetland’s successors continue her lifesaving tradition..