Burnham-on-Sea RNLI volunteers welcome their new inshore lifeboat
Burnham-on-Sea lifeboat station crew took delivery of their new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Doris Day and Brian on Monday afternoon (4 Feb)
After a quick launch and fifteen minutes run out with recovery onto the (also new) launch and recovery trailer, the new lifeboat was taken back to the lifeboat station for wash-down and preparation for the next launch.
All week, every station volunteer has been taking part in familiarization training, as the Atlantic 85 is a step up from the Atlantic 75 Staines Whitfield, which is presently being serviced for operation in the RNLI relief fleet. Staines Whitfield has given dependable service since it’s delivery in December 2003, but lifeboats are hard-working and replacement this year was inevitable.
The new lifeboat is one metre longer with more powerful engines and features refinements such as Radio Direction Finding and radar. Also being longer, the boat is faster, and now carries seats for a crew of four.
Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Operations Manager Matt Davies says; ‘Now that the lifeboat and all her equipment has arrived a week of familiarisation starts for the crew, both afloat and ashore. The team have all made a great start on this and training continues throughout this week. The RNLI trainers will constantly be assessing the team so the lifeboat can be used to it's full potential once on service at the end of the week.
I take my hat off to all the volunteer crew for their commitment and dedication’
Notes to editors
Photographs with this release (Credit RNLI/Mike Lang)
· The Atlantic 85 arrives
· Doris Day and Brian Launch
· Doris Day and Brian in action
Lifeboats in service at Burnham-on-Sea:
A 8.5m Atlantic 85 named Doris Day and Brian and a smaller 4.95m D class IB1 inflatable named Burnham Reach The station was opened officially on 15th May 2004, but has been operational since December 2003.
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For more information about this release please telephone Mike Lang, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07889 815860 or email [email protected],
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Alternatively, telephone Amy Caldwell RNLI Public Relations Manager (South)
Tel 07920 818 807, [email protected] , or Emma Haines Press Officer; 07786 668847 [email protected]
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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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