Penlee Point Lifeboat Station protected for dedication to saving lives at sea
The former station hasn't been used since the disaster in 1981 where 16 people lost their lives
Last updated 4th Apr 2023
The former Penlee Point Lifeboat Station has been protected and given Grade II status for dedication to saving lives at sea.
The station in Mousehole played a crucial role in the RNLI search and rescue operations following the Penlee Lifeboat disaster in December 1981 - when 16 people including eight RNLI crew members lost their lives.
Today, Tuesday 4 April, it has been listed at Grade II by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.
Neil Brockman, ex coxswain of Penlee Lifeboat Station and son of Nigel Brockman, who died on board the Solomon Browne, told us:
"My father was lost in 1981 and seven other friends.
"I was actually on the crew and watched it launch, I was only 17 though, I was only a boy".
Neil added: "I think it's very important it's remembered for the station for what it was.
"The Solomon Browne is always remembered for the loss, but people need to remember she did a lot of sterling work in her day, she saved a lot of lives".
The buildings were closed after the incident and haven't been used since.
Patch Harvey, current coxswain of Penlee, said:
"They lost their lives and we've got to keep remembering what they did. It's nice now in many years to come, their stories will be told and their lives will be remembered".
Samantha Barnes, listing adviser at Historic England, said:
"This building will be remembered forever but also the architectural interest of the building, it's basically been preserved as it was, it wasn't altered.
"I think it really is that historic importance of the building as a memorial of the people who were lost in the disaster".
Read more:
Penlee Lifeboat disaster 41 years on