Eyemouth RNLI officially names its new Shannon class lifeboat

Sunday 2 June 2019

Eyemouth RNLI’s new Shannon class lifeboat was officially named Helen Hastings on Saturday 1 June 2019.

RNLB Helen Hastings enters Eyemouth harbour

The ceremony took place at the charity’s lifeboat station at Gunsgreen Quay Eyemouth to a packed crowd who were entertained by singers and a brass band whilst hearing from the Hastings family and the RNLI.

The Shannon lifeboat arrived in Eyemouth last December to a warm welcome from crowds and supporters.

Helen Hastings, who lived in Stocksfield, Northumberland, greatly admired the bravery and selflessness of lifeboat crews and she also knew the importance of legacies to the RNLI, through which 6 out of every 10 lifeboat launches are only possible.

On her passing, Helen left the majority of her estate to the RNLI and Shannon class lifeboat 13-29, was named ‘Helen Hastings’ in her memory.

The Shannon is the latest class of all-weather lifeboat to join the RNLI fleet. She’s the first modern all-weather lifeboat to be propelled by waterjets instead of traditional propellers, making her our most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat yet.

Designed entirely in-house by a team of RNLI engineers, the RNLI harnessed cutting-edge technology to ensure this new lifeboat meets the demands of a 21st century rescue service.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.

Eyemouth RNLI officially names its new Shannon class lifeboat

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