RNLI lifeboats remember those lost on 65th anniversary of MV Princess Victoria
Three RNLI all weather lifeboats today (Sunday 28 January 2018) gathered at the site where the MV Princess Victoria sank sixty-five years ago with the loss of 133 souls.
Donaghadee, Larne and Portpatrick RNLI lifeboat crew laid wreaths on behalf of their stations and also on behalf of Newcastle, Bangor and Portaferry RNLI. A wreath was also laid on behalf of Larne Harbour.
The short ceremony at sea was followed by a service Donaghadee parish church where over fifty lifeboat volunteers represented the charity along with many people who travelled from across Northern Ireland to mark the anniversary. Donaghadee lifeboat crew saved 33 of the 44 survivors that day onboard the Sir Samuel Kelly lifeboat.
Speaking following the ceremony at sea, Donaghadee RNLI Coxswain Philip McNamara said, ‘Today was a very solemn occasion as we remembered all those who were lost, sixty-five years ago this week. It was a huge tragedy and affected many families in Northern Ireland and across the water. It’s important to remember the anniversary and to pay our respects.’
‘To look out at sea and see three lifeboats from Northern Ireland and Scotland was an incredible sight. After each lifeboat crew dropped their wreaths at the site, a minutes silence was observed to remember those who were lost. We in Donaghadee RNLI are very proud of the lifeboat crew who went before us, who arrived on scene that day and rescued 33 survivors in what must have been horrific conditions.’
On the 31 January 1953, lifeboats from Donaghadee, Portpatrick and Cloughy were launched and received awards for their bravery.
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