The Gorleston lifeboat station was established by the RNLI in 1866. In 1881 a new boathouse was built at Gorleston and in 1883 a second boathouse (Gorleston No.2) was built alongside. This closed in 1926 when Gorleston No.1 station was renamed Great Yarmouth and Gorleston. The boathouse was extended in 2002 and is home to the Atlantic class Seahorse IV, as well as a gift-shop, and a museum which includes a former Gorleston lifeboat - "John and Mary Meiklam of Gladswood". Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Lifeboat Station is a "discovery station" and is open to the public at certain times.