Who could help you find a lifeboat, build a scale model of one or even uncover the adventures of a former lifesaving craft?

There’s one branch of the RNLI whose members are brought together not by a unique place, but by a unique passion: a love of all things lifeboat. They are the Lifeboat Enthusiasts’ Society (LBES).

Members of the society, which was founded over 45 years ago, specialise in a variety of keen interests. For some, it is the fascinating history of the RNLI that keeps them busy. For others, keeping track of the more modern lifeboat technical developments is a hobby in itself. Some members have impressive collections of lifeboat postcards or their own photographic records of lifeboats past and present. As for the lifesaving vessels themselves, many enthusiasts have their own craft – of all shapes and sizes.

Modelling careers
Among the most popular attractions at the RNLI Headquarters Open Weekend in July were the lifeboat model displays. Enthusiasts showed their incredibly detailed scale models of lifeboats (pictured), and put radio-controlled models through their paces in water.

Around three quarters of the model lifeboats owned by LBES members are ‘operational’ in the water. They feature working engines, moving radar units, and even realistic engine noises. The modellers frequently attend RNLI fundraising events, and raised £1,200 for the charity at one display earlier this year. They also proudly display their creations at major international and national model shows.

‘Our modelling group has won four international and national shields over the past 4 years, plus several on-the-water display awards,’ says Adrian Clutterbuck, the LBES Honorary Model Consultant. ‘We design and build all our own stands and displays at no cost to the RNLI. We’re proud and honoured to work with the charity to raise funds and promote the lifesaving service through our displays,’ adds Adrian, who owns six large-scale model lifeboats and is building another.

Historic lifeboats
Another type of enthusiast can be found at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, where volunteers maintain the UK’s largest collection of historic lifeboats. Managed by the RNLI Heritage Trust and Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, the Historic Lifeboat Collection features lifeboats that served from the 1890s to the 1990s. Like many of the Chatham volunteers, Volunteer and Assistant Group Coordinator Peter Woolhouse is a member of the LBES: ‘The collection is very important to the RNLI’s heritage, and the preservation of the UK’s maritime heritage generally. The volunteers work tirelessly in maintaining and conserving the collection. They are a great bunch. One of the reasons I keep on attending is that, as well as the valuable work, I enjoy the company and banter.’

Not all restored ex-lifeboats are on display on dry land. Some of the society’s members privately own former RNLI craft that can still be seen afloat.

Record makers
Whether ex-lifeboats are owned by LBES members or not, their use and movements are recorded and updated by a group of enthusiasts particularly interested in archiving and research. And it was this interest in RNLI lifeboats and station histories that sparked the formation of the society in the first place. ‘My wife Pam and I took our first holiday at Coverack on The Lizard in Cornwall in 1956,’ recalls the society’s Honorary Secretary and founder, John Francis. ‘We stayed in the home of Noel Barker, Bowman of the Coverack lifeboat. Thanks to him and Michael Eustice, the station lifeboat Mechanic, Pam and I developed our interest in lifeboats. So in 1964, with the blessing of the RNLI, I formed the society. It was a way of sharing knowledge. It’s been so rewarding to be involved and one of the best parts has been getting to know so many helpful, friendly people.’

One of the first to sign up to the society was Jeff Morris, who holidayed in Aldeburgh in the 1950s and witnessed the launch of the town’s lifeboat one night in 1957. ‘Something just clicked with me – I wanted to know more. My interest and fascination in lifeboats and their history grew from there.’ Jeff went on to become the society’s Honorary Archivist, and wrote many books on the histories of lifeboat stations.

‘I enjoy my research, and the cherry on the cake is the gratitude people have shown me for helping them,’ says Jeff when asked why he has devoted so much time to archiving.

Perhaps Jeff’s most satisfying research experience was when he wrote a book on the history of Lerwick Lifeboat Station, based in the Shetland Islands. ‘I was writing it around the time that the most recent RNLI Gold Medal was awarded to Coxswain Hewitt Clark in 1997. So that award formed the latest chapter of the station’s history, and I was present when he received his medal. It was a privilege to be there.’

An invaluable resource
The activities of the society benefit the RNLI through knowledge, funds and public awareness. Few of those who work in the charity’s Operations, or indeed, Publications Teams, would be without their Lifeboat Enthusiasts’ Society Handbook. It’s a definitive guide to the names, service dates and classes of every RNLI lifeboat and launching tractor on record and every open and closed station. The man with the tough task of maintaining it is the society’s Honorary Treasurer and Publications Officer Tony Denton.

‘It’s stations that first interested me,’ recalls Tony. ‘The histories of lifeboat stations that are still operational are less likely to be forgotten. But the heritage of closed stations is in danger of being lost. I used to look for closed stations. What had they become? Were they still there? Then I realised there were a lot of old lifeboats still around too, and that you could trace their origin using their yard numbers. So I made a list, and that was the beginnings of the LBES handbook. It’s important that I don’t just sit on my research, that I share it.’

Another benefit to the RNLI provided by LBES members is photographs. When lifeboat enthusiasts spot a current or ex-lifeboat, many take a picture for their own records or to share with others. Nicholas Leach is the society’s Photographic Records Officer, and his images often appear in the Lifeboat.

With so many different ways in which to take lifeboat enthusiasm further, it’s no wonder that the society has attracted nearly 800 members internationally.

How to join

It costs £15 (UK)/£22 (overseas) a year to join the society. As well as the annual handbook, members receive a magazine three times a year. There are two meetings each year with sales of lifeboat memorabilia and a chance to buy books, photos, and more. The society website is at rnli-lbes.org.uk. If you are interested in joining please contact the Honorary Secretary, John Francis, by writing to him at 13 West Way, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent, BR5 1LN, or by emailing: [email protected].