‘New’ lifeboat for New Brighton RNLI
New Brighton RNLI’s Atlantic-85 lifeboat was collected and replaced with a relief craft on the evening of Wednesday 9 April.
It was a different type of tasking for New Brighton’s volunteer crew this week, as they oversaw the replacement of their trusted B-class lifeboat, Charles Dibdin, with a vessel from the RNLI relief fleet, Roy Snewin.
The RNLI take great care to ensure that all lifeboats are maintained to the highest standard, and this includes a full refit of the lifeboats after a certain amount of time in service. After many years and hundreds of rescues, New Brighton’s hard-working Atlantic-85 is heading via road transport and ferry to Cowes Inshore Lifeboat Centre, where it will now undergo a full refit.
The familiar lifeboat is expected back in the autumn, in the meantime, the crew will continue their efforts to save lives at sea in a relief craft from the RNLI fleet, which arrived direct by road transport from its previous relief duty at Kinghorn RNLI in Fife, Scotland.
The transfer of the boats included the securing and lifting of one lifeboat from the carriage via crane, followed by the lifting of the relief craft expertly placed into the empty carriage via crane operator. New Brighton RNLI owe a big thanks to their driver and operator Jason for his efforts on the day. From there, the lifeboat due for refit is emptied of all necessary equipment, which is reinstalled on the relief craft, before being craned onto the back of the truck, ready for its long journey to Cowes.
New Brighton RNLI would like to extend a special thanks to Gregg, Assistant Manager at Bubbles play centre in New Brighton, for his help in securing permission to make use of the centre’s car park to conduct the changeover.
Lee Arnall, LOM at New Brighton RNLI, said:
‘It was definitely a new sort of exercise for our crew, watching the boat launch into the air instead of onto the water! They all worked efficiently and effectively to ensure the changeover for the relief lifeboat went smoothly. It’s a testament to the continued efforts of our fundraisers across the UK & Ireland that the RNLI is able to both keep its craft updated and suited to the modern demands of saving lives at sea, whilst also able to provide relief craft for that time. The RNLI is almost entirely funded by donations, and you really see where that support goes in moments such as this.’
Notes to Editors:
New Brighton RNLI was established in 1863 in the bustling seaside resort of New Brighton, on the northeast corner of the Wirral peninsula. They cover the River Mersey and out into the Irish Sea.
The station is home to a B-class Atlantic 85 lifeboat, one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet. The crews at New Brighton have been presented with a remarkable 48 awards for gallantry to date.
RNLI Media Contacts:
For more information, please contact:
Connor Wray
Lifeboat Press Officer/ILB Crew
New Brighton RNLI
07756553092
Emily Craven
Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer/ILB Crew
New Brighton RNLI
07986119684
Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith
Regional Communications Manager
07977728315
Danielle Rush
Regional Communications Lead
+441745538995
Or RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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