1866
A great gale swept Torbay in January, causing the loss of over 60 ships and the tragic loss of nearly 100 lives. As a result, the RNLI established the lifeboat station at Brixham and the people of Exeter raised money for the first lifeboat, City of Exeter.
Since then there have been 10 different lifeboats stationed here.
1872
A new boathouse and slipway were built near the corner of the breakwater at Brixham Harbour.
1876
A lifeboat station was established at Torquay and three different lifeboats served there until 1923.
1923
The station at Torquay closed and Brixham station was renamed Torbay Lifeboat Station.
1930
The lifeboat was placed on moorings in the harbour.
1964
An inshore lifeboat (ILB) station was established with a D class lifeboat. Three different types of ILB have been stationed at Torbay; the Hatch class, McLaughlin and D class.
1966
A Centenary Vellum was presented to the station.
1988
The station was granted the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Torbay.
1990
The boathouse was adapted for the D class lifeboat and provided improved crew facilities.
1996
A new D class lifeboat was placed on service.
2001
The new all-weather lifeboat, the Severn class Alec and Christina Dykes, arrived on station in October.
2005
A new D class lifeboat John William Hirst placed on service.
2008
Coxswain Mark Criddle is awarded the Silver Medal for Gallantry for his part in rescuing the crew of the disabled, listing freighter Ice Prince in a force 9 strong gale. Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were accorded to each of the lifeboat's crew. Torbay crew were also given the Pride of Britain award in the Emergency Services category for this rescue.
Station honours
At Torbay Lifeboat Station the following awards have been made:
Framed Letter of Thanks 7
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 19
Bronze Medal 19
Silver Medal 6
Gold Medal 1
1889
Honorary Secretary Rev R F Elrington - Vellum*
1915
Second Coxswain William Pillar - Albert Medal
1935
Coxswain WA Mogridge - Bronze
1937
Coxswain WA Mogridge - Bronze
1939
Coxswain WA Mogridge - Silver
1940
Second Coxswain W Pillar, Mechanic RT Harris and Bowman F Sanders - Bronze
1944
Coxswain FC Sanders - Silver
Mechanic RT Harris - Bronze
1946
Coxswain HO Thomas - Bronze
1959
Coxswain HO Thomas - Silver
Mechanic RT Harris - Bronze
1959
Six crew members - Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum
1964
Coxswain Harold Coyde - Silver
Mechanic RT Harris - Bronze
Eight crew members - Vellum
1973
Mechanic Barry Pike - Silver and Ralph Glister award
Helmsman Kenneth Gibbs - Vellum
Coxswain Kenneth Gibbs - Bronze
1976
Crew Member John Dew - Bronze
Acting Coxswain Keith William Bower - Gold
Mechanic Stephen James Bower, Assistant Mechanic William John Hunkin, Crew Members Michael Mills, Nicholas Davies, Richard Brown and John Dew - Bronze
1979
Coxswain George Edward Dyer and Coxswain Arthur Curnow - Bronze
Coxswain Arthur Curnow, Acting Assistant Mechanic Brian Caunter and Crew Member Michael Kingston - Framed Letters of Thanks
1990
Coxswain Curnow - Vellum
1992
Coxswain and crew - Collective Framed Letter of Thanks
Ex Coxswain Arthur Curnow received the BEM in his retirement from the station
1995
Crew Member Nigel Crang - Framed Letter of Thanks
1998
Coxswain David Hurford - Framed Letter of Thanks
1999
Helmsman Nigel Crang and Crew Member Simon James - Vellum
Crew Member Nick O’Brien - Framed Letter of Thanks
2008
Coxswain Mark Criddle - Silver Medal for Gallantry. Second Coxswain Roger Good, Deputy Second Coxswain John Ashford, Mechanic Mathew Tyler, Second Mechanic Nigel Coulton, Crew Members Darryll Farley and Dr Alexander Rowe - Vellum.
*Vellum = Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum