RNLI Torbay all-weather lifeboat has fleeting overnight companion …
Anyone walking past the RNLI Torbay boathouse after dusk yesterday evening, Wednesday 21 February - or indeed very early Thursday morning - may have pinched themselves and done a ‘double take’ when they spotted two bright orange lifeboats moored to the pontoon!
Just across from relief Severn Class lifeboat Volunteer Spirit was beautiful, slightly smaller Shannon Class lifeboat number 13-24 Barbara Anne.
The Shannon is the first in the RNLI fleet to be propelled by waterjets instead of traditional propellers, making her the most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat yet. She was an overnight guest at Torbay lifeboat pontoon whilst on passage from RNLI headquarters in Poole to her lifeboat station in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. She slipped in after dusk and left again first thing the following morning, bound for another stopover at Newlyn, Cornwall before rounding Lands’ End and heading onwards up the Irish Sea to Lytham.
There are more exciting boat movements afoot this week, as members of the RNLI Torbay volunteer crew, along with Coxswain Mark Criddle, have left for the Isle of Wight to collect our own Severn Class all-weather lifeboat Alec & Christina Dykes and bring her home this weekend – watch out for full coverage of her return soon!
Notes to editors
Torbay Lifeboat Station Key Facts:
- Torbay lifeboat station has been operating since 1866. To learn more about the station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/torbay-lifeboat-station
- Coxswain of Torbay Lifeboat is Mark Criddle
- Further information on Torbay Lifeboat Station’s local activities can be found at: http://www.torbaylifeboat.co.uk/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rnlitorbay
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RNLITorbay
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Victoria Bowen, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07794 043 428: [email protected] or contact Carrie Garrad, RNLI Regional Media Officer on 07786 668 847: [email protected] or alternatively RNLI Public Relations at Poole HQ on 01202 336 789.
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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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.