Douglas RNLI lifeboat Sir William Hillary around the Island farewell trip
Douglas RNLI all-weather lifeboat, Sir William Hillary, was retired from active service as of 9am Monday, 2 July 2018.
Following on from the "Last Slipway Launch" celebration in January, on Sunday, 12 August, the lifeboat Sir William Hillary will circumnavigate the Island visiting each of the other Island lifeboat stations en route.
Departing Douglas at 8.00am, approximate times of arrival at the other stations are, Ramsey 9.00-9.30am, Peel 10.30-11.00am, Port Erin 11.30-12.00pm, Port St Mary Lifeboat Day 12.30-1.00pm and finally back to Douglas in time for the Tower Insurance sponsored Tower of Refuge Walk that evening.
The Tyne class all-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary commenced its Island service on 25 November 1988 and in its time here has been launched on service 337 times and aided 417 people (88 were lives saved).
RNLB Sir William Hillary will finally depart the Island on Friday, 17 August, at midday bound for the RNLI Depot in Conwy, North Wales.
Notes to editors
Captions for attached photos.: All-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary, and the new Douglas all-weather lifeboat, Marine Engineer. Credit: RNLI/Michael Howland
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Mike Howland, Douglas RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07624496029, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Regional Media Officer Ireland on 00353876483547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Regional Media Manager Ireland on 00353871254124 or [email protected]
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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