Donate now

Ringing the bell for Whitby RNLI’s new Launch a Memory lifeboat.

Lifeboats News Release

The traditional ceremony marks the completion of the first stage of the build process of the Shannon class lifeboat.

RNLI

Whitby's new Shannon class lifeboat Lois Ivan

The private event took place on Tuesday 4 April, with the team involved in the construction of Lois Ivan in attendance as the boat was lowered into the water for the first time.

This is an exciting step for the new Shannon class lifeboat, as it marks the completion of the work which takes place on the production line in Poole's All weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC). But the hard work doesn't stop there as there are still sea trials and commissioning to take place before the lifeboat can be signed off ready to head to her new home in Whitby.

The majority of this all-weather lifeboat has been funded by a generous gift donated by Mr George Ivan Stone, and the remaining funding has come from our fifth Launch a Memory campaign.

Mr Stone, known as Ivan, died in February 2019 generously leaving his entire estate to our lifesaving charity. He spent half of his time at the family home in Belper, Derbyshire, and the other half at a home he owned in Bedale, North Yorkshire. Ivan’s partner Lois passed away in 2005 and in his Will, Ivan’s wish was for the RNLI to purchase a lifeboat to be named Lois-Ivan after them both.

Whitby RNLI Coxswain Howard Fields said: 'This generous and kind act leaves a remarkable legacy which will go on to save many lives, alongside the names of over 10,000 loved ones through donations from people supporting our Whitby Launch a Memory campaign. We are so grateful for the generosity of Mr Stone and every person who has donated to this special lifeboat.'

Whitby RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Barry Brown, and Chairman of Whitby RNLI Lifeboat Management Group, Mike Major, summed up what the new lifeboat will mean to the station:

‘We look forward with great anticipation to the arrival of our new Shannon class lifeboat in June, knowing that it has been painstakingly made in the All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole using the best of materials by a skilled and dedicated workforce.

‘Lois-Ivan will replace our Trent class lifeboat George and Mary Webb, which for 27 years has served us well. But the new boat will take us into a new era of enhanced capability with her state-of-the-art technology.

‘The crew and all of us at the station, along with many others here in Whitby eagerly await the arrival of our new lifeboat and look forward to seeing her on station ready for service.'

For more information contact Lifeboat Press Officer Ceri Oakes on 07813359428 or at [email protected]


RNLI

Getting read to life the all weather lifeboat into the water at Poole

RNLI

RNLI lifeboat Lois Ivan in the water for the first time at Poole

RNLI

The bell is rung as per tradition, in celebration of the lifeboat build.

RNLI

Teams involved in the lifeboat's construction gather to enjoy the occasion.

RNLI

The new Whitby RNLI lifeboat which will be ready for her new home later this year.

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, Twitter 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.

Categories