
Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI to bid farewell to their all-weather lifeboat
On Saturday 15 April, Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI will say goodbye to their all-weather lifeboat Joy and Charles Beeby. The Mersey class lifeboat has served the station proudly for 30 years.
Last year the charity confirmed that an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat would operate permanently at Berwick-upon-Tweed, replacing the all-weather lifeboat when it came to the end of its operational life.*
The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, which has been extensively trialled at the station, has proved it is the right lifesaving vessel for the station. It will operate alongside Berwick’s smaller D-class inshore lifeboat.*
Kevin Knox, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Berwick said: ‘Naturally we’ll be very sad to say goodbye to our all-weather lifeboat Joy and Charles Beeby. She has served us proudly for 30 years, saving lives at sea and bringing loved ones back to their families.
‘It will be the end of an era for the lifeboat station and its volunteers but as our all-weather lifeboat has reached the end of its operational life, we’re ready to start the next chapter of lifesaving in the town.
‘I’d like to offer heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our crew for their fantastic level of commitment and training that they have put in to familiarise themselves with the Atlantic 85 lifeboat. They have worked tirelessly to gain the necessary operational training on the new lifeboat and this is to be applauded.’
Joe Mitchell, RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager, said: ‘It will be a very poignant day when we wave goodbye to Berwick RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat and everyone will be saddened to say farewell.
‘As she has reached the end of her operational life and we look to the future, the A85 will amount to an improvement upon our lifesaving capability in the area. With a top speed of 35 knots, it is much faster than both the Mersey and the Shannon Class all-weather lifeboats; it can reach casualties more quickly and it also has a better shallow-water capability.
‘We are very grateful for all that our volunteers do and are confident the Berwick crew will continue to maintain their superb lifesaving tradition.’
The lifeboat station is inviting people to come along on Saturday 15 April when the all-weather lifeboat will launch at approximately 9.00am for the final time from the boathouse at Carr Rock, Spittal, Berwick upon Tweed. She’ll then be escorted by lifeboats from St. Abbs, Eyemouth and Seahouses out past the Pier.
The charity’s lifeboat station is also looking for extra fundraisers and Deputy Launching Authorities (who authorise the launch of the lifeboats) to join the friendly team. For more information, please email Kevin Knox: [email protected]
Notes to editors
· Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Joy and Charles Beeby will join the RNLI’s relief fleet of lifeboats.
· The decision to change the make-up of lifeboats at Berwick RNLI, by replacing their Mersey when it comes to the end of its operational life with a new Atlantic 85 was decided following a thorough review of lifesaving effect provided by Berwick-upon-Tweed lifeboat station. A detailed analysis of launch data showed that the services by Berwick RNLI all-weather lifeboat in the ten years covered by the coast review could have been carried out safely and effectively by an Atlantic 85 lifeboat with, support from flank stations if required,
· The RNLI carries out an in-depth coast review every five years, analysing rescues carried out in recent years as well as assessing the changing trends in water use, search and rescue demand and the improving capabilities of modern lifeboats. As part of the review process each lifeboat station that are directly affected are invited to feed into the review so that the RNLI have a full picture of the local needs and circumstances.
· A detailed analysis of the area’s service launches from 2005 – 2014 showed that all the services dealt with by Berwick’s all-weather lifeboat (ALB) could have been successfully handled by 25 knot ALBs at Eyemouth (8 miles away) and/or Seahouses (16 miles away). An Atlantic 85 would have been able to deal with 97% of the ALB services.
· To meet the Institution’s Concept of Operations and Strategic Performance Standards – i.e. to reach at least 90% of all casualties within 10 nautical miles of the coast within 30 minutes of launch in all weathers – we need a network of 25 knot all weather lifeboats (ALBs) strategically placed around the coast, along with suitably located inshore lifeboats. From 2020, we have had 25 knot all-weather lifeboats stationed at Eyemouth, Seahouses and Amble which means the need for an all-weather lifeboat at Berwick is removed.
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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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