Hastings Lifeboat Station Draws Record Crowds in 2025
Hastings RNLI lifeboat station made waves in 2025, welcoming a whopping 21,738 visitors keen to meet the lifesaving heroes. Among them were 51 pre-booked groups and an astonishing 19,325 walk-ins, many discovering for the first time that they could get up close to the volunteer crew and watch lifeboats in action.
Visitors Get a Rare Glimpse of Lifesaving in Action
Following a record-breaking bicentenary in 2024, Hastings lifeboat station is buzzing with interest. With 13 group visits already secured for 2026, schools, Scouts, Marine Cadets, and even international students are snapping up the chance for a front-row seat at the rescue HQ.
- Guests tour two cutting-edge lifeboats: the powerful Shannon class all-weather lifeboat and the nimble D-class inshore lifeboat.
- Guides deliver gripping talks on lifesaving techniques, water safety, and the RNLI’s crucial mission.
- Walk-in visitors enjoy interactive exhibits on the Shannon lifeboat via a special viewing gantry loaded with screens and kids’ activities.
Burning Visitor Questions
- How do the lifeboats launch so quickly from their low boathouse?
- When was the last emergency call-out?
- How is the RNLI funded?
Volunteers Take Lifesaving Beyond the Shore
Hastings lifeboat crew aren’t just waiting by the boats. Volunteers hit the road, visiting care homes, community groups, and charities within a 10-mile radius. Their mission? To spread vital sea safety messages and raise awareness far and wide.
Plan Your Visit to Hastings Lifeboat Station
Fancy a look behind the scenes? Drop in anytime or contact Lifeboat Station Visits Officers Judith Collins and Annette Veness to book a personalised tour. Don’t miss your chance to meet the crews saving lives every day.
About the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has been Britain and Ireland’s sea rescue hero since 1824. With 238 lifeboat stations and over 240 lifeguard units manned by volunteers around the clock, the RNLI relies entirely on public donations. To date, they’ve saved tens of thousands of lives, keeping coastlines safe across the British Isles.
