The Weston-super-Mare lifeboat station was established in 1882. Its first lifeboat RNLB William James Holt was a 25ft self-righting pulling and sailing lifeboat, which was launched from davits erected on the Birnbeck Pier, allowing it to be launched at any state of tide.

In 1889 a new lifeboat house was built on the north east side of Birnbeck Island allowing the lifeboat to be able to be launched down a 30m slipway which ran down adjacent to the pier. In 1902 a new lifeboat station was built on the south east side of the island, with a new slipway which at 112m was at the time the longest slipway in England.

The station was served by five lifeboats between 1882 and 1969. In 1966 the station was also allocated a D-Class inshore lifeboat. On 12th March 1969, while the station lifeboat RNLB Calouste Gulbenkian was away for servicing the relief lifeboat RNLB Rachel and Mary Evens broke free from a mooring off the pier and was wrecked on Birnbeck Island.

The decision was taken to remove the all weather lifeboat and replace it with an additional inshore lifeboat. The station received a McLauchlan class inshore lifeboat in 1970 which served until 1983 when it was replaced by an Atlantic 21 class inshore lifeboat.

With the deterioration of the Birnbeck Pier it was closed to the public in 1994, in 2011 following a damage to the station slipway a new temporary station was established on the island with the lifeboats being launched down the old slipway on the north side of the island. In 2013 access across the pier became impossible so a new station was established on the mainland at Knightstone.

In 2023 Birnbeck Pier and Island were purchased by North Somerset Council. The Council is working with the RNLI on plans to renovate the pier and in the long term to re-establish the lifeboat station on the island.

Since the station was established there has been one gallantry medal awarded, this being a Bronze Medal in 1975.

The volunteer lifeboat crew provide a 24-hour search and rescue service 365 days a year along the North Somerset Coastline, but none of this would be possible without the support of the public and their donations. It costs in the region of £130k a year to run and maintain the service in Weston-super-Mare, all of which comes from the generous donations of the public.

Through this page you can either make a simple donation to support the work of our volunteers by clicking on the "Give Now" button, or why not create your own JustGiving Fundraising Page by clicking on the "Start Fundraising" button and raise money by carrying out your own event or challenge.

Your contribution will help to fund the selfless work of our volunteer lifeboat crew in Weston-super-Mare, by doing so you will be helping to save lives around our coast and will be providing the best equipment possible to ensure the safety of our volunteers.