Scarborough RNLI welcomes new inshore lifeboat

Station Coxswain, Lee Marton, and Station Mechanic, Dave Horsley, prepared and checked over Scarborough’s new lifeboat thoroughly before a volunteer crew of three climbed aboard for sea trials in South Bay led by Lee.

Once the trials were complete, the charity’s new inshore lifeboat was officially put on service at around 1pm and will remain on service for an approximate 10-year commission.

D-856 John Wesley Hillard IV was funded by The Gay and Peter Hartley's Hillards Charitable Trust who has been a longstanding supporter of Scarborough Lifeboat Station and has funded the previous three inshore lifeboats.

The previous inshore lifeboat, D-724 John Wesley Hillard III, was relieved after serving 11 years and six months on station in which it was launched on service 208 times, saving seven lives and aiding a total of 191 people.

Notable services include the rescue of Ravi Saini in July 2020 when he found himself in difficulty in South Bay and was carried out to sea with the tide. Ravi remembered the ‘Float to Live’ advice offered by the RNLI which saved his life as the inshore lifeboat found him calm and floating on his back.

The RNLI’s D-Class inshore lifeboat is a 5 metre RIB capable of travelling at 25 knots and has been the workhorse of the RNLI for over 50 years. They are highly manoeuvrable and usually operate closer to shore than the all-weather lifeboats. They come into their own for searches and rescues in the surf, shallow water and confined locations - often close to cliffs, among rocks and even inside caves.

Scarborough waves a fond farewell to John Wesley Hillard III but welcomes its successor with open arms.

Notes to editors

· Scarborough lifeboat station has been operating since 1801. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: scarborough.rnli.online/ or rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/scarborough-lifeboat-station

· Station Coxswain Lee Marton is available for interview

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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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