A HOMECOMING MORE THAN 20 YEARS
IN THE MAKING

In 2004, former coxswain Dick Thurlow sailed the Bernard Matthews away from Caister for what appeared to be the final time.

On Thursday 13 August, he will bring her home.

For the final part of the journey, the historic vessel will be accompanied by Caister’s current all-weather lifeboat, the Annette Thurlow - named in memory of Dick’s late wife.

It will be a deeply personal homecoming and the beginning of a new chapter for one of the most important lifeboats in Caister’s long history.



THE BUSIEST LIFEBOAT IN CAISTER’S HISTORY
The Bernard Matthews served at Caister from 1991 until 2004. Faster and more powerful than the lifeboat she replaced, she answered calls in some of the most demanding conditions off the Norfolk coast and became the busiest lifeboat ever recorded in the station’s archives.

After leaving Caister, she continued saving lives with Blyth Valley Lifeboat Service under the name Spirit of Blyth and Wansbeck. She remained in active lifeboat service until 2016.

KEY FACTS

• Operational number: 38-01
• Built: 1990
• On station at Caister: 1991–2004
• Officially launched by HRH Princess Alexandra on 18 June 1991

A REMARKABLE RECORD OF RESCUE
During an extraordinary eight-day period in 1995, the Bernard Matthews and her volunteer crew carried out two demanding rescues.

First, Dick Thurlow and his crew rescued nine people from the Dutch yacht Madame. The following Sunday, 1 October, they were called out again when the yacht Sequina ran aground on Scroby Sands in Force 7 conditions.

After the yacht capsized, the crew of the Bernard Matthews rescued all four people aboard—bringing the number of people saved across the two services to thirteen.

It was one remarkable chapter in the history of a lifeboat and crew prepared to answer the call in the most difficult conditions.

“CAISTER MEN NEVER TURN BACK”

13 PEOPLE RESCUED

ACROSS TWO EMERGENCY CALL-OUTS

IN EIGHT DAYS

WHY WE NEED TO RAISE £100,000

Bringing the Bernard Matthews back to Caister is only the beginning. Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service must now raise £100,000 to purchase the vessel, restore her to lifeboat condition and create a permanent home for her within the museum.

The current owner has agreed arrangements that allow the lifeboat to return to Caister while the appeal is under way, with payment for the vessel to be made once the money has been raised.

With the public’s support, we can preserve not only the boat herself, but also the stories of the volunteer crews who served aboard her and the people they went to sea to help. The Bernard Matthews can then remain at Caister, where future generations will be able to discover her remarkable history.

To donate, please visit our JustGiving page at the link below.

“It will be fantastic to bring the Bernard Matthews back to Caister. It was a very sad day for me when I sailed her away.

She was a fantastic boat and carried us through some very stormy waters. My years as coxswain began on her in 1991 and ended when she left in 2004.

Bringing 38-01 home will stir many emotions.

Welcome back, Bernard Matthews.”

DICK THURLOW
Former Caister Coxswain

“Seeing the lifeboat back where she belongs will be a very special moment for our family and a wonderful legacy to our father’s contribution to Norfolk and his love of the sea.

Our father was always immensely proud to support the Caister lifeboat crew and became close friends with them all.

I would like to personally thank everyone involved in bringing the lifeboat home.”

VICKY MATTHEWS
Daughter of Bernard Matthews