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Barry Dock RNLI allocated new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat

Lifeboats News Release

Barry Dock RNLI volunteers received exciting news last night (Thursday 2 November) as the lifeboat crew were told the station is allocated a new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat.

Hastings RNLI Shannon class lifeboat

RNLI/Jo Whitaker

Hastings RNLI Shannon class lifeboat

The station’s new Shannon class lifeboat is currently being built at the RNLI’s All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset, and is expected to arrive in Barry Dock in Spring 2024. The Shannon class lifeboat will replace the station’s current Trent class all-weather lifeboat Inner Wheel II, which has been saving lives in the Bristol Channel since 2006.

With the ability to reach speeds of 25 knots, the Shannon class is the most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat in the RNLI fleet. It’s also the first modern all-weather lifeboat propelled by waterjets instead of propellers.

Barry Dock’s new Shannon class lifeboat will be primary funded thanks to a generous legacy by the late Mr Richard Colton, who left an extraordinary gift to the RNLI in his Will – two classic Ferrari cars. The two rare classic Ferraris sold at auction in 2015 for a total of £8.5M. The legacy has already funded a Shannon class lifeboat and the Launch and Recovery System at Hastings RNLI in East Sussex, and has contributed towards new boathouses at both Pwllheli and Tower Lifeboat Stations. Barry Dock’s new all-weather lifeboat will be the second Shannon class lifeboat funded by Mr Colton’s generous legacy, and will be named Richard and Caroline Colton II.

Andy Gavan, Coxswain at Barry Dock Lifeboat Station said:

‘On behalf of all at Barry Dock RNLI, I would like to thank the family of Mr Richard Colton for the extraordinary legacy that was left to the RNLI which will fund our new Shannon class lifeboat.

‘This is a very exciting time for all the volunteer team at Barry Dock Lifeboat Station; we’ve recently moved into a new building and are now looking forward to 2024 – the RNLI’s bicentenary year – when we will welcome a new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat to Barry Dock.

‘Welcoming a new lifeboat will be a new chapter in Barry Dock RNLI’s longstanding history, but with this brings even more training commitments and dedication for the crew. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers, their families, and employers for their continued support over what will be a busy – but exciting – few months.’

Barry Dock RNLI moved into a new purpose-built facility shared with Association of British Ports (ABP) located at the Pier Head at Barry Dock Harbour in September. Work on the new station began in 2022. The lifeboat crew now have a modern new facility including a dedicated crew changing and showering facility, and a workshop for maintenance and rectification. The new base is home to a separate crew room and training facility, capable of holding medium events, welfare facilities and private office space.

Notes to editors

  • Photo 1: Hastings RNLI Shannon class lifeboat. Credit: RNLI/Jo Whitaker
  • Photo 2 and 3: Barry Dock RNLI’s Shannon class lifeboat being built at the RNLI’s All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset. Credit: RNLI


RNLI media contact

For more information, please contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Regional Media Officer on 07771 941390 or email [email protected]. Alternatively contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.




Barry Dock RNLI’s Shannon class lifeboat is currently being built at the RNLI’s All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset.

RNLI

Barry Dock RNLI's Shannon class lifeboat build
Barry Dock RNLI’s Shannon class lifeboat is currently being built at the RNLI’s All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset.

RNLI

Barry Dock RNLI's Shannon class lifeboat build

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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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