Barmouth RNLI’s new Shannon class lifeboat arrives

The RNLI’s new £2.2 million Shannon lifeboat arrived at Barmouth on Sunday10 March 2019 as hundreds of supporters and well-wishers lined the beach to greet the new state-of-the-art lifeboat.

The new boat was met out at sea by Barmouth’s current Mersey Class lifeboat, the Moira Barrie; they were also accompanied down the coast by Criccieth’s B Class Atlantic 85 lifeboat. It was a moving and memorable sight to see the boats surging through the heavy seas as they neared the shore.

The Barmouth Coxswains and volunteer crew gave a display of the new boat’s manoeuvrability before beaching and being recovered onto the Shannon Launch and Recovery vehicle. Both all-weather lifeboats were then towed to the beach in front of the Boathouse to be presented to the crowd.

Further training for the volunteer crew will continue for a number of weeks until the new boat takes over from the Moira Barrie, the station’s Mersey class all-weather lifeboat which has looked after life-saving in Cardigan Bay since her arrival in 1992.

Coxswain Peter Davies said:

‘Thank you all for turning out from far and wide to welcome us here in this very cold and rough weather. We have had a tiring but enjoyable passage round from Poole since Wednesday, but it has given us the opportunity to learn such a lot about this wonderful new boat. The way she has performed in some very large seas on the way here is just fantastic. We are all amazed at her speed and capability; and have every confidence that she has the potential to help us save even more lives at sea’.

Dr Rob Haworth, former Barmouth RNLI Chairman and crew member said:

‘On behalf of all past crew members I would like to congratulate you all. You have a great team here in Barmouth, led by two very able Coxswains. The commitment shown by you during your training for the arrival of your new lifeboat and the essential part the shore crew continues to play is commendable. I am delighted that the RNLI has shown their faith in you by placing a Shannon here.’

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Barmouth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer Norma Stockford on 07917 245882 or Regional Media Manager Danielle Rush on 07786 668829.

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

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