New role for veteran Llandudno RNLI lifeboat
Llandudno's former lifeboat 'Andy Pearce' which left the resort recently after serving there for 27 years has now been allocated to new duties as an RNLI relief fleet lifeboat.
As a result she left her temporary berth in Conwy marina on Friday (1 Dec) to make the coastal passage to Pwllheli, where she will stand-in for that RNLI station's all-weather lifeboat Lilly and Vincent Anthony whilst it is away for refit.
On board for the seven-hour passage to the Llyn station was a Llandudno crew under the command of station mechanic Les Jones, who for many years has had responsibility for keeping the Andy in tip-top operational condition.
Leaving Conwy at 8.30am the crew took the lifeboat round the north coast of Anglesey before heading south towards Braich-y-Pwll, thence through Bardsey Sound and south of the St Tudwal's islands prior to arriving off Pwllheli Fairway buoy at 3pm and entering Hafan Pwllheli to berth shortly afterwards.
Speaking later about this, his final trip in the much-loved veteran lifeboat, Les said: 'It was of course rather sad to step off the old girl for the last time. Her engines never missed a beat throughout the whole passage.'
Notes to editors:
The attached picture should be credited to RNLI/Llandudno.
Caption: JOURNEY'S END: Two of Llandudno RNLI's longest-serving lifeboatmen say their last farewells to the Andy at Pwllheli; (left) Former Coxswain and now Head Launcher Ian 'Dan' Jones MBE and Station Mechanic and in command for the final trip, Les Jones.
For further information please contact Alan Sharp, RNLI Llandudno Lifeboat Press Officer, on 01492 543315.
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