Swanage RNLI’s Shannon lifeboat moved into boathouse as station nears completion

Swanage RNLI’s new lifeboat station is currently the charity’s only station where a Shannon class lifeboat is launched down a slipway. The lifeboat George Thomas Lacy has been moved into the boathouse several times over the last few months to protect her from the rough winter weather conditions, and last week she was moved into the boat hall permanently. Video footage here shows her launching down the slipway for the first time during trials.

Building work on the new station began in spring 2015 and since then the crew have been housed in temporary accommodation near the site. The new station includes a crew changing room, a fully-equipped crew training room, mechanics workshop, office space and two separate boat halls for the inshore and all-weather lifeboats.

The volunteer lifeboat crew plan to start moving their equipment into the new building in the New Year.

Captain Neil Hardy MBE, volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, says all the crew are very much looking forward to moving into their new home: ‘Anybody who has seen the building recently will know that it is getting close to completion, and now the scaffolding has come down people can get a real feel for the new building. There are still many tasks to do before the building becomes an operational lifeboat station, and these will be carried out in the New Year. We will of course keep the local community updated on progress as I’m sure many people are looking forward to getting a closer look.’

Last month, the Shannon class lifeboat George Thomas Lacy launched down her new slipway for a shout for the first time ever. The first launch happened on Tuesday 29 November at 2.30pm when both Swanage RNLI lifeboats were tasked to assist the Coastguard and police in the search for a missing person. The lifeboats carried out a shoreline search from Ballard Down to the southern end of Studland beach. Four crew members were also put ashore at Old Harry Rocks to search the base of the cliff. After an extensive search and no further information, the lifeboats were stood down, returning to station at 4.50pm.

Notes to editors

Please see attached a photo of the George Thomas Lacy in her new boat hall. Credit RNLI/Swanage.

For more information contact Emma Haines, RNLI Press Officer, on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or the RNLI Duty Press Officer 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.

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.