Amble RNLI’s new Shannon class lifeboat naming ceremony

The charity’s state-of-the-art lifeboat arrived in the town last November to a warm welcome from crowds and supporters.

Mrs. Elizabeth Foley Brumfield from Hull left a generous legacy to the RNLI and requested that it be used towards the purchase of an all-weather lifeboat in memory of her and her late husband, Leonard.

Elizabeth was a lifelong supporter of the RNLI and her father was a marine engineer. Amble RNLI’s Shannon class lifeboat will be named Elizabeth and Leonard in memory of the couple.

The Shannon class lifeboat was also part-funded by an RNLI appeal (launched in 2014) to raise £200,000 towards the cost of the new vessel. After a multitude of events, ranging from coffee mornings and sponsored runs through to golf days and a fashion show, the impressive target was reached in June last year.

RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, John Wingfield, said: ‘Our volunteer crew has enthusiastically embraced the new Shannon class lifeboat. It gives them real peace of mind knowing that her advanced technology enables them to reach people a lot more quickly and further off shore.

‘The naming ceremony will be a very special day in our station’s history and will officially mark the next chapter of lifesaving in the town.’

Gill King, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager, said: ‘Saturday will provide the perfect opportunity to celebrate Elizabeth and Leonard’s amazing lifesaving legacy, when the new Shannon is officially named in their memory.

‘Everyone who supported our fundraising appeal will also be in our thoughts because without such generosity the new lifeboat wouldn’t have become a reality. Such support is the lifeblood of our charity and ensures that we’re able to continue our vital role of saving lives at sea today and for future generations.’

RNLI Photo caption

The photograph shows Amble RNLI’s new Shannon class lifeboat in action. Credit: Steve Lowe.

Media invitation:

Event: The official naming ceremony for Amble RNLI’s new Shannon class lifeboat.

When: Saturday 27 May at 4.00pm. The media are advised to arrive from 3.20pm to set up.

Where: Amble RNLI, Radcliffe Quay, Amble, NE65 0BE (parking is not available at the lifeboat station but there are local carparks nearby).

Opportunity: To film and photograph the naming and blessing of the charity’s state-of-the-art new Shannon.

Contact: If you wish to attend, please contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer, North on 07824 518641 or at [email protected]

Notes to editors

• Amble RNLI launched a fundraising appeal in July 2014 to raise £200,000 towards the cost of its new Shannon class lifeboat. The total cost of the vessel is £2M.

• Mrs. Elizabeth Foley Brumfield from Hull left a generous legacy to the RNLI following her death in 2013. She requested that it be used towards the purchase of an all-weather lifeboat in memory of her and her late husband, Leonard. Elizabeth was a lifelong supporter of the RNLI and her father was a marine engineer. Amble RNLI’s Shannon class lifeboat will be named Elizabeth and Leonard in their memory.

• The Shannon is the RNLI’s next generation all-weather lifeboat and is the most agile in the RNLI fleet. It is the first modern RNLI all-weather lifeboat to be propelled by water jets and not propellers. Capable of 25 knots, the Shannon is 50% faster than the lifeboats it replaces, ensuring that those in need are reached more quickly than before.

• The RNLI has an All-weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) at its headquarters in Poole, Dorset. The facility brings every stage of the lifeboat building process under one roof. Amble RNLI’s new Shannon was built here.

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.