RNLI Workington Lifeboat Station

Feb 6th, 2023

Closed to the public unless an organised visit
Nov 2nd, 2022

Aug 31st, 2022

I volunteer for the RNLI, so I am a bit biased, but the station is always immaculate. Sadly closed to the public currently due to the pandemic.
May 1st, 2022

Workington RNLI is a professionally run, full time, fully committed deep water rescue service. The lifeboat is always ready and capable of getting quickly to any marine accident or incident in the eastern Irish Sea and Solway Firth. The Workington RNLI service must always be "ready, willing and able." All day and everyday. All year and every year. The lifeboat crew must be trained to excel in all aspects of marine engineering, navigation and boat handling . . ready for the extremes and the unexpected conditions! These people, mainly volunteers, put their lives at risk to ensure the survival of other 'sailors in distress.' We are a maritime nation and our coastal waters, the busiest in the world, must be safe and navigable whether in war or commerce. Cumbria's seas are treacherous, with a big tidal range producing fast currents, and continuously shifting channels and sandbanks causing unpredictable navigation difficulties. Fishing, leisure, cargo and turbine support vessels are constantly making passage. The proliferation of wind turbines, energy lagoons, petroleum and gas platforms can only multiply the problems. Collisions are inevitable. 'When?' Not 'if'! Vessels are constantly 'distance' monitored by the Coastguard who are in direct contact with Workington RNLI in case of emergency. As a consequence, they need to be constantly training to minimise the risks at sea and to optimise the rescue procedures. On Cumbria's coastal waters, climate change with global warming is producing stronger winds for longer periods of the year. Rising sea levels with its consequent coastal flooding is happening increasingly. We are also getting more 'full blooded' storms as well as the whiplash from the Atlantic hurricanes. RNLI is already indispensable as a rescue service but we must prepare for a worst case scenario. The rescue demands on Workington RNLI will increase steadily for the foreseeable future . . . perhaps to nightmare levels! The government can help by properly funding the RNLI. Relying on charity donations now can only increase the likelihood of marine tragedies in the years ahead.
Sep 10th, 2022