Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station

Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations for the sea around Land's End, Cornwall in the United Kingdom. The first lifeboat was stationed at Sennen Cove in 1853. Since 2009 it has operated a all weather boat (ALB) and a (IB1) inshore lifeboat (ILB).HistorySennen Cove is situated just to the north of Land's End, the most westerly point in mainland England. Following the loss of the New Commercial on the Brisons in January 1851 the RNLI built a boathouse at the top of the beach in 1853 and extended it in 1864 when a larger lifeboat was sent to the station. In 1876 a new boathouse was built on the landward side of the road, but in 1896 it was replaced by a new one on the site of the original building.A motor lifeboat was sent to the station in 1922. In preparation for this the boathouse was given a new slipway in 1919 and a turntable was provided inside so that the lifeboat could be hauled up the slipway bow-first and then turned ready for its next service. Ten years later a second slipway was provided.In 1994 an ILB was added to the station. This is kept in the boathouse. When it was to be launched it was craned onto the slipway and taken down to the water on a carriage, but a new slipway was provided to make launching the ILB easier at low tide. At the same time the boathouse was modified to take a longer boat, and in 2001 the roof was removed and a new one installed ready for the receipt of a taller, faster lifeboat. New crew facilities were installed at the same time.Service awardsThe volunteer crews of the RNLI do not expect reward or recognition for their work, but the records include many rescues that have been recognised by letters, certificates and medals from the RNLI management. This list is just some of the most notable.