In 1845 the Norfolk and Suffolk Shipwrecked Mariner Association opened the lifeboat station; from 1858 to 1969 the lifeboat was under the umbrella of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. However, that October following a decision to close the station by the RNLI, The Caister Volunteer Rescue Service was formed by the people of the village of Caister, who knew that a lifeboat was needed on this part of the east coast - bearing in mind that the Caister station held the record for the most lives saved by any lifeboat station in the British Isles. Today after 36 years of independence we enter another era with a lifeboat house, launching and recovery system and a 37 knot lifeboat and crew ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

We are thankful for the concept of the design and development which David Stogdon and the Dutch KNRM brought into fruition with the Valentijn Class Lifeboat, and to the Habbeke Shipyard for the craftsmanship which Arie de Waart and his team used in the construction of the vessel. However, all of this would not have been possible without the support of the many people and organisations who have backed the appeal from the time of its launch in March 2003. The members of the Caister Lifeboat were overawed by the generosity that was displayed; this enabled the placing on service of the Valentijn six months ahead of schedule — a remarkable achievement. Today’s service, which is to be conducted by the Bishop of Norwich the Rt. Revd. Graham James, and the Naming Ceremony will bring to a conclusion one era in which former coxswain Dick Thurlow and the crew of the lifeboat Bernard Matthews launched 143 times saving 105 lives in the 14 years that it was on service, and open a new one with the Valentijn cutting rescue times by two thirds.

The new lifeboat under the command of Coxswain Paul Williams has already shown what its capabilities are. Our task now is to make sure that Paul and the crew have the funds to continue to give a service to the highest standard of the international lifeboat service, and uphold the station’s motto ‘Caister Men Never Turn Back’.

The Viscountess Knollys, Vice Lord Lieutenant of the county of Norfolk
asks leave to present
The Mayor of Great Yarmouth Councilor George Jermany
and Bishop of Norwich Rt Revd. Graham James.

The Viscountess Knollys, asks leave to present
High Steward of Great Yarmouth Mr. Michael Falcon
and Benefactor of Caister Lifeboat Mr. Bernard Matthews CBE QM.

Katie Garrod Presents a posy for The Duchess of Cornwall
whilst her father and crewmember Paul looks on.

Their Royal Highnesses enjoy a warm public reception given
by the many hundreds of onlookers that had assembled to watch.

The weather had looked doubtful but brightened when the
Royal couple arrived, one villager commented
"You have brought the sun with you!"

The Duchess of Cornwall commented
"Lovely to be at the seaside." & "Pleased to meet you."

The Royal couple continue their walkabout.

A relaxed-looking Prince of Wales was happy to let his wife
move ahead to meet the hundreds waiting on the beach.

The Viscountess Knollys, asks leave to present
Mr. Harry Barker Chairman of CVLS

Mr. Harry Barker asks leave to present
Mr. John Plummer Vice Chairman of the Appeal Committee
and Project Committee Members Colin Lake and Jeffrey Brown.

Further - Jackie Dixon Appeal Secretary,
Mr. Dick Thurlow Former Coxswain
and Project Coordinator John Cannell.

Inside the new station Their Royal Highnesses view the various
displays and model lifeboats.

Their Royal Highnesses meet David Stogden
The Lifeboat Designer & Arie de Waart The Lifeboat Builder.

The Prince of Wales talks to Wilhelm Roos from the
KNRM - Dutch Lifeboat Institution.

Their Royal Highnesses sign the visitors book.

The Royal Party walking towards the platform.

Psalm 107:27—31 Read by the Methodist minister in Caister,
the Rev’d Ian Worsfold

The Service of dedication led by the
Bishop of Norwich Rt Revd. Graham James

Click to View the Service of Dedication.

The best kept secret in Caister! is revealed by the Prince of Wales, a surprise presentation of the clock,
from the previous lifeboat Bernard Matthews, to Dick Thurlow Former Coxswain

Mr. Harry Barker presents the Prince of Wales with the first
numbered print of the painting by William Calladine, which
depicts lifeboat Beauchamp launching on 13th November 1901.

In his speech The Prince saluted the work of lifeboat crew members
“who volunteer to protect people at sea, often in the worst possible
conditions, all around our coastline”.

And he highlighted the
“very special spirit of the community here who live up to the
motto Caister men never turn back”.

“That spirit was shown in the determination shown
when it became clear a new boat was needed,” he said.

The Prince named the new Caister Lifeboat Bernard Matthews II
in recognition of the lifeboat station's greatest patron.
Their Royal Highnesses cut the ribbon together, which released and smashed
the champagne bottle.

Turkey Farmer Bernard Matthews, who has donated over £100,000 during his association with the Caister Lifeboat said:
It is a great honour to have this boat named after me. I am so proud to be associated with the people who operate this lifeboat.
They are incredible people by any standards.

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and
The Duchess of Cornwall board the Bernard Matthews II
prior to the unscheduled trip. The Prince was intrigued to
see the novel launching system employed.

The Royal couple smiling with determination as they
are helped aboard by the 2nd Coxwain Ivan Jones
and greeted by cheers from the crowd.

The Prince of Wales secures his Crewsaver lifejacket
assisted by John Cannell.

The Duchess of Cornwall seated next to the
coxswain Paul Williams.

Tractor driver Allie Brown takes the lifeboat to the shore and makes ready for launch.

Their Royal Highnesses were taken for a short trip on the Bernard Matthews II, where Coxswain Paul Williams was able to demonstrate
some of the potential of this all weather lifeboat, its awesome speed and manoeuvrability.

Crewmembers, HM Coastguards, Members of the Press
and the Royal Party watch from the shoreline.

Bernard Matthews II executes several tight turns at speed.

The trustees of Caister Lifeboat were presented to
Their Royal Highnesses by Mr. Harry Barker
on their disembarkation from the lifeboat.
Above saying their farewells to the Bishop of Norwich,
Bernard Matthews and Bridget Lowe Coxswains Partner.

The Prince asked about the band and congratulated them
saying "Well done"! The Matthews Norfolk Brass Band had provided
the music during the ceremony.
Seen above enjoying a quiet laugh with some of the bandmembers.

Thomas Garrod, Junior crewmember, presents a gift of boxed kippers.

The Prince of Wales says farewell to Mr. Harry Barker

The Prince of Wales says farewell to the onlooking villagers.

All pictures by Anthony Benson.
©Caister Lifeboat

From 1969 the Caister Lifeboat Service has operated as an independent charity run entirely by volunteers who, as crew and fund raisers, are responsible for the day- to-day operation of the station. Alongside the operation of the all- weather lifeboat the station has, since 1970, operated an inshore lifeboat. The first was purchased as a result of fundraising by the pupils of Caister High School. The present inshore lifeboat is named ‘The Jim Davidson OBE’ after the famous comedian who enabled the money to be raised for the purchase of this vessel directly by his fundraising activities in 2001.

Early in 2001 an evaluation exercise took place to examine the options for the eventual replacement of the ‘Bernard Matthews’, which had served the station since 1990 and had been one of the busiest lifeboats ever to serve on the Caister station. Attention was drawn to the development of the KNRM Valentijn 2000 class lifeboat designed by David Stogdon. The vessel had all the attributes needed for working in shallow sandbanks off the Norfolk coast. After a period of discussions and trials with the Katwijk un Zee Redding Boat Station in Holland, it was decided to acquire such a vessel for Caister. However, this course of action led to a project with a cost of £800,000, brought about by the need for not only a new launching carriage and alterations to the existing tractor, but also the building of a new lifeboat house, since the new vessel would be too large to fit into the old station.

In March 2003 an appeal was launched to raise the funds for the new vessel. Money poured in from various sources throughout the United Kingdom, and even from as far as Japan and New Zealand. This enabled the project to be completed by the summer of 2004, with the new lifeboat arriving on 29th August. The craftsmanship of the new vessel is a credit to Arie de Waart and his team at the Habbeke shipyard in Volendam Holland.