Hastings Lifeboat Station has a purpose built viewing platform to enable visitors to get a real feel for the boats. We also have a shop which is open daily from 10 til 4.30 where all are welcome. Please note that the viewing area and shop are open weekends only during January and February .

The Lifeboat Station is located at The Stade in Hastings Old Town - right next to the fishing fleet berths on the working beach. This is an ideal location for launching and recovering, away from the crowds on the beach during the summer and protected by the harbour arm for launches on particularly rough outings. Launch and recovery for both boats is by carriage, and the launch crew on the beach are an important part of the team to assist in the safe and successful launch and recovery for exercise or on service. .

The new boathouse was built in 1995 to safetly accomodate the Mersey class and D class lifeboats, along with tractor, bobcat and carriages. It was the first boathouse in the country to be built with disabled access into its design and has a special lift to enable all visitors to access the viewing platform easily. The station was also the first designated visitor centre for the RNLI, and now attracts over 40,000 visitors each year.

Want more information? Click here to download our visitor guide (pdf format, Adobe Acrobat reader needed to view) .