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A fitting sad farewell for Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Today (Saturday 15 April 2023) at 9.30am, Berwick-upon-Tweed lifeboat crew said a sad farewell to their much loved ‘Joy and Charles Beeby’ Mersey class all-weather lifeboat.

Crew assemble in readiness for their all-weather lifeboat to leave Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI

Jim Gibson Photography

Present RNLI Crew getting ready for goodbye

Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI received their all-weather Mersey lifeboat on 5 February 1993, which had been funded from the estate of Mr and Mrs Charles and Joy Beeby. It was a wonderful testament to them that the lifeboat would be serving others and helping those in distress by saving lives at sea.

The all-weather lifeboat was officially named at the Carr Rock in a special ceremony on the 23 March 1993, by HRH the Duchess of Kent.

Now after 30 years of saving lives at sea, as she has reached the end of her operational life, the charity is replacing our ‘old lady’ with an Atlantic 85.*

The present crew were joined by old crew members who had served on her over the years along with members of the public, to watch as she was launched from the slipway for the last time.

Taking her on her final journey onboard were, RNLI Assessor Trainer Manager Peter McColl, Coxswain Robert Frost, Mechanics Phil Paterson and Rense Bell, Helmsman Michael Percy and crew Richard Cox and Richard Peat.

RNLI Assessor Trainer Manager, Peter McColl said: 'As a Mechanic then I had the privilege in 1993 of sailing with her, up from Poole at the RNLI Support Centre, to Berwick-upon-Tweed lifeboat station. Having been with the RNLI for 36 years, it has been an honor to be asked to sail her on her final journey 30 years later, from Berwick-upon-Tweed.’

Coxswain Robert Frost said: ‘Obviously we are all saddened at the decision to remove the all-weather lifeboat, but at the same time, I am privileged as her last Coxswain of being able to be with her on her final journey with some of the original crew.’

For the final time she sailed up the Berwick Estuary to the three Border Bridges, where she then was joined by the Berwick D class inshore lifeboat and flanking lifeboats from Eyemouth, St Abbs and Seahouses, to make her journey down to Hartlepool. With the Berwick Pilot boat Border Belle and other pleasure boats following her.

As she passed down the East coast, RNLI lifeboats from Craster, Amble and Tynemouth joined her to say farewell, then Hartlepool joined her to bring her for the end of her journey

RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Kevin Knox said: ‘It was a very emotional, with some crew in tears, but a fitting send off for our Joy and Charles Beeby Mersey lifeboat, who had served our crew well for 30 years, keeping us safe enabling us to save lives at sea.

'From all the crew we would like to thank the Executor of the estate of Charles and Joy Beeby for coming too see us, all past lifeboat crew, Piper Andrew Smith, Lifeboat Chaplin Rachel Hudson and crew member Tom Sample who is also a Chaplin for the short service and prayers. Our flanking lifeboat crews, along with the pleasure boats for sailing out with her on her final journey, Jim Gibson and Sky Vantage for photography and filming, our new fundraising committee for teas and coffees and the huge crowd of members of the public who turned out to see our all-weather lifeboat off.

'A special thank you goes to our lifeboat families and supporters, who served as well, by giving their support to their loved ones, whilst waiting at home for our loved ones to return safely home after a shout in saving lives at sea.

'It is the end of an era and the start of a new chapter for all at Berwick-upon-Tweed lifeboat station.'

Notes to editors

* The A85 lifeboat has 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.

* Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Joy and Charles Beeby will join the RNLI’s relief fleet of lifeboats.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information please contact Hazel Bettison, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]

Berwick-upon-Tweed RNLI last Crew to be sailing our Mersey lifeboat as she leaves us after 30 years.

Jim Gibson Photography

Last Crew for our Mersey lifeboats departure
Flanking lifeboat Crews from Eyemouth, St Abbs and Seahouses, meet with Berwick-upon-Tweed D-class lifeboat to escort their Mersey lifeboat the Joy and Charles Beeby out the estuary on her final journey to Hartlepool

Jim Gibson Photography

Flanking RNLI lifeboats ready for escort
Berwick-upon-Tweed Mersey lifeboat sailed up to the Border Bridges for the last time before heading out of the estuary down to Hartlepool

RNLI/Hazel Bettison

Last time sail up to the Berwick-upon-Tweed Border Bridges
Final wave goodbye from Berwick-upon-Tweed lifeboat Crew as they lose their Mersey lifeboat after 30 years of service

Jim Gibson photography

Goodbye you served us well for 30 years

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.

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