St. Ives historic lifeboat trips

JAMES STEVENS No.10

WELCOME ABOARD !

Come and join us for a truly unique historic lifeboat trip around St.Ives Bay.

The old St.Ives lifeboat JAMES STEVENS No.10 will take you on a gentle and serene boat trip around St.Ives Bay. Experience St.Ives from the sea and view the beautiful beaches and stunning scenery, there is even a chance of spotting some of the local marine inhabitants such as seals and dolphins. Learn about the history of this lifeboat, shipwrecks and the heroic rescues that were performed. JAMES STEVENS No.10 is the original Lifeboat that was built in 1899 and has just undergone a 3 year restoration. We are licensed to carry up to 12 passengers.

HISTORIC LIFE BOAT TRIPS AROUND ST.IVES

JAMES STEVENS No.10 is the former St.Ives lifeboat that was owned and operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, she is the original 123 year old rowing and sailing lifeboat that was stationed at St.Ives. This historic lifeboat has just undergone a two and a half year restoration and is now back to her former glory. She now offers unique educational historic lifeboat trips around St.Ives Bay. Learn about the history of this lifeboat, the shipwrecks and the heroic rescues that were performed by her crew.

BUILT IN 1899

The St.Ives lifeboat JAMES STEVENS No.10 was built in 1899 and at 123 years old this historic lifeboat is a living tribute to the skill and craftmanship of the shipwrights who built her.

This lifeboat was built using the strongest boatbuilding techniques and using the finest materials available. The double diagonal type of construction is effectively two hulls one inside the other, the planks are made from mahogany hardwood and she is held together using copper rivets.

You can learn more about the lifeboat construction and build specification here

RESCUE HISTORY

JAMES STEVENS No.10 was on service as the St.Ives lifeboat from 1900 to 1933.

During this time she performed many heroic and daring rescues, this lifeboat and her crew saved 237 lives.

Learn more about the rescues here

LIFEBOAT RESTORATION

After temporarily retiring as a pleasure boat in 2007 the JAMES STEVENS No10 was laid up at Dynamite Quay, Hayle.

After many years of being neglected the bilge pumps failed and the lifeboat slowly filled with rainwater. This situation eventually caused the lifeboat to become engulfed and she sank on 30th December 2015.

After lengthy negotiations we finally purchased the lifeboat in may 2019 and started the two and a half year restoration project.

HISTORIC LIFEBOAT TRIPS

Come aboard JAMES STEVENS No10 for a gentle and serene boat trip around St.Ives Bay and a totally unique experience. Learn about the history of this lifeboat and her crew, along with the stories of shipwrecks and rescues.

The JAMES STEVENS No10 is the oldest and longest serving RNLI lifeboat that is still afloat, she is also a registered National Historic Ship .