The RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Station at Burnham-on-Crouch was founded in 1966. Initially only operational during the sailing season, it became an all year station in 1987.

Originally, a D class inflatable was housed in a temporary wooden building next to the Petticrow Boatyard’s old sheds in Belvedere Road. A boathouse for the D Class was built on the corner of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club car park and was opened in 1989 when the old boatyard site was redeveloped. The D Class was later moved to a floating boathouse at The Burnham Yacht Harbour.

A review of the type and frequency of services of lifeboats on the East Coast showed that since 1989 the 16-foot D class was being tasked to assist boats in trouble in the approaches to the river (beyond Shore Ends) more and more frequently and also that some 55 – 60% of ‘shouts’ were taking place after dark.

As a result, it was decided that, subject to finding a suitable site, an Atlantic 75 lifeboat should be stationed in Burnham from 1996. Effectively a ‘stretched’ Atlantic 21, the 75 is a 7.5 metre rigid inflatable with twin 70 hp outboards and a full night-time capability. Top speed is about 34 knots, and these boats represent a quantum leap from the relatively simple D class. The D Class was to be kept on for a period while a decision was made as to its longer-term future.

In August 1996, a floating boathouse was installed in the NW corner of the Yacht Harbour while changing rooms, stores workshop and a training facility are in a new building at the top of the ramp onto the pontoon. The building was designed by local architect John James who is one of the station’s Deputy Launching Authorities, having previously served on the crew for 12 years.

Prior to the arrival of the new boat, potential helmsmen were put through an intensive training course at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre in Cowes which is also where the RNLI assemble and maintain their inshore boats. David Nicholls was appointed Station Mechanic and he attended a course to learn how to look after the boat and her equipment. Just before Burnham Week, The prototype Atlantic 75 B 700 Susan Peacock now on the reserve fleet, arrived to take up station duty until our ‘own’ newly built boat was delivered.

Susan Peacock, was on the water all day every day in September while the crew worked up under the watchful eyes of two staff instructors from Cowes and the Deputy Divisional Inspector (East Coast), who signed the boat off as operational on October 1st. Senior helmsman Allan Staples was assigned the task of Station Training Officer and charged with carrying on the good work and extra crew have been recruited to bring our strength up to 18, six of whom are qualified Atlantic helmsmen.

In February 1997, the brand new Atlantic 75 B733 Brandy Hole, which has been partially funded by the Brandy Hole Yacht Club at Hullbridge, arrived at Burnham and Susan Peacock was returned to the reserve fleet.

A high percentage of services in 1996 & 1997 involved both the Atlantic and the D class. Either, the D class has launched to a shout within the river while the Atlantic has been giving assistance to a casualty well outside or the two boats worked together to reduce the time spent searching for a vessel reported overdue.

Boat owner’s families and friends can often give surprisingly vague descriptions of a missing boat, which means that the identity of virtually every likely boat on the river has to be checked.

It was, therefore, decided that Burnham should continue to operate two boats for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, as the D Class D335 had reached the end of its operational life, a new D class D519 Ernest and Rose Chapman was delivered to Burnham in May 1997. This boat was given by David and Barbara Chapman in memory of David’s parents.

Both Burnham Lifeboats, Brandy Hole and Ernest and Rose Chapman, were dedicated on 7 June 1997 and the new facility at Burnham Yacht Harbour was formally opened at the same ceremony.