Fowey RNLI prepares for historic day with farewell lifeboat flotilla

Fowey Harbour Commissioners are coordinating the flotilla of boats to mark the lifeboat's departure after 30 years of lifesaving service. Led by the lifeboat, the flotilla will follow the charted route shown in the diagram as she leaves Fowey Harbour for the last time, with Coxswain Jonathan Pritchard at the helm.

All vessels are welcome to join what is sure to be a memorable and eye-catching flotilla procession of lifeboats, harbour boats, working and trip boats, ex-lifeboats, safety boats, gigs and private vessels. The flotilla will be coordinated by Harbour Patrol vessels and mariners are being encouraged to dress vessels where safe to do so, with bunting, flags, or RNLI colours.

In the morning of Friday 1 August, the lifeboat will be open to the public on the lifeboat pontoon from 11am – 1pm for free tours. This will be the final chance for members of the public to look around the lifeboat before she leaves Fowey.

At 2.15pm, Fowey’s coxswain, Jonathan Pritchard, will make a short speech onboard the lifeboat, which will be relayed to the watching crowd via speakers. He will then take the helm for the final time to lead the flotilla of boats out of the harbour, flanked by Fowey’s inshore D class lifeboat and their relief Atlantic 85 lifeboat.

Participating vessels are requested to muster at Berrill’s Yard just before 2.30pm. During the procession out of Fowey Harbour, the lifeboat will detour to Fowey Town Quay and then to Polruan so that watching bystanders can see her final appearance.

At the harbour entrance the flotilla is requested to form a ‘guard of honour’ and mariners and onlooking crowds are encouraged to cheer, wave and sound horns to give her a rousing farewell and send her on her way and also to thank all those who have served aboard her over the past 30 years.

For those watching the procession ashore, there are plenty of good vantage points along the route, including:

• Berrill’s Yard

• Albert Quay

• Gallants Sailing Club

• Fowey Town Quay

• Royal Fowey Yacht Club

• Esplanade

• Readymoney Beach

• St Catherine’s castle

• Alldays fields

Notes to editors

The Trent class all-weather lifeboat, Maurice and Joyce Hardy, arrived in Fowey on 25 September 1996. During her time on service in Fowey she has launched on 314 shouts, aided 462 people, spent 591 hours at sea on service and saved 22 lives.

The Trent will be open every day from 21 - 26 July for free guided lifeboat tours.

Friday 1 August

The Trent farewell ceremony will be at Berrill's Yard and the lifeboat pontoon.

11am – 1pm final lifeboat tours.

2.15pm Goodbye ceremony and speech by coxswain Jonathan Pritchard.

2.25pm Boats to muster at Berrill's Yard

2.30pm Trent leaves lifeboat pontoon with sail past flotilla.

More event details can be found here https://www.facebook.com/events/9830373183740155
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We are happy to organise interview opportunities with the Coxswain, Fowey Lifeboat Operations Manager and some current crew on the morning of Friday 1 August. Please contact Cathy or Emma on the details below.

• Fowey lifeboat station was established in 1859 and has been operating for 166 years. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to:
  https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/fowey-lifeboat-station

• A photo of Fowey’s lifeboat can be viewed at: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/fowey-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Cathy Baillie, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07787 709986 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, Regional Press Officer [email protected] and 07786 668847 or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.