An old friend comes to visit at Arklow RNLI lifeboat station

Family, friends, former colleagues and members of the public turned up earlier today at Arklow lifeboat station to welcome home an old friend. The 'old friend' was the RNLI’s newest addition to the lifeboat fleet in Ireland, the lifeboat, Michael O’Brien.

The new lifeboat was on passage to Clogherhead in county Louth where the boat will be stationed. The courtesy call to Arklow was the first Irish landfall of the new Shannon class lifeboat.

The lifeboat was named after Arklow RNLI’s former lifeboat Coxswain, Michael O’Brien, following a bequest in the will from Gorey farmer and long time friend of Michael and Arklow RNLI, Mr. Henry Tomkins.

Following the emotional visit, a very proud Jimmy Tyrrell, Former Arklow RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said 'I campaigned for years to have a lifeboat class named after an Irish river. To see one of this class named after a colleague and friend is truly a great honour and fills us all with great happiness and pride. All of us at Arklow RNLI wish our colleagues at Clogherhead RNLI every good wish for the future. We know Michael will look after them.'

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For more information please telephone Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 086 8260439 or [email protected] or Nuala McAloon, Regional Media Officer on 0876483547 or [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, Regional Media Manager on 0871254124 or [email protected]

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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, the charity has saved over 142,200 lives.

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.