Whitby’s Shannon class lifeboat is put on service after extensive training
The RNLI volunteers in Whitby have been training on the launch a memory lifeboat, Lois Ivan since June.
Area Lifesaving manager Dave Scott said: ‘We are delighted to be able to announce that Lois Ivan is now the operational lifeboat at the station, replacing the current Trent Class lifeboat, George and Mary Webb.
This decision is a testament to the many hours of hard work and dedication that the volunteer crew have put into ensuring they are fully trained on the new lifeboat.’
Whitby RNLI coxswain Howard Fields said: ‘Our crew have been at sea almost daily to ensure they know the new lifeboat inside out and can handle any scenario they may face. We have got to grips with the new technology on board which is a huge advancement on our previous Trent class lifeboat.’
Whitby’s former lifeboat, George and Mary Webb will join the fleet of relief lifeboats for the RNLI and will leave Whitby at 8.30am on Tuesday morning by sea.
Station mechanic Richard Dowson who has served on the Trent since he joined the RNLI said: ‘We’ll be really sad to see her go, but it’s the end of her journey now at Whitby, myself and the rest of the crew are looking forward to making new memories on Lois Ivan and continuing to save lives at sea.’
The new Shannon Class carries over 10,000 names on the bow, many of which were added in memory of loved ones by the donors. There are plans to hold an event for those donors to see the names up close at Whitby, however this will be tied in with routine maintenance to ensure it is cost effective for the charity to lift the lifeboat out of the water. We will make an announcement once the details for this are finalised.
In the meantime, the lifeboat will be moored at the lifeboat station in Whitby, other than when it is out on a shout or training, although there is no public access down onto the pontoon, the lifeboat is visible from the the accesible parts of the lifeboat station and from various vantage points around the harbour.
At present there is temporary signage with the names of loved ones visible at the station, a replica of the decals on the lifeboat. These signs will be replaced with permanent signs in due course once we are granted planning permission from the local authority.
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 142,700 lives.
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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.