Staithes and Runswick RNLI crew say goodbye to neighbour of 27 years
Trent Class lifeboat 14-14 George and Mary Webb left the harbour of Whitby for the last time on the morning of 12 September 2023. Staithes and Runswick RNLI’s B class lifeboat and crew visited to say goodbye to the lifeboat which has served alongside Staithes and Runswick lifeboat for 27 years.
Joining the relief fleet the Trent class lifeboat will continue to both train volunteer crews to save lives at sea and to save lives at sea where the lifeboat is required. After almost daily training on the Shannon class, which as part of the Launch a Memory campaign carries over 10,000 names on the bow, Whitby’s new boat was made operational at the station, thus replacing the George and Mary Webb.
Luke Hutchinson, Helm at Staithes and Runswick Lifeboat said of the occasion: ‘It was quite emotional to see the lifeboat we’ve been used to working alongside leave Whitby for the last time. We were lucky enough to have the Trent appear at our lifeboat weekend in August for its last visit whilst still at Whitby. We do get used to and grow fond of our lifeboats, but the provision of new lifesaving equipment and lifeboats, by the generous donations of others to stations, is something to be proud of.
‘We look forward to working alongside Whitby RNLI’s new Shannon class lifeboat, as we approach the RNLI’s 200th year and they embrace a new chapter of saving lives at sea.’
Notes to Editors
Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat has been in operation since 1978 with Atlantic B-Class inshore lifeboats (ILB’s). The present ILB at the station B-897 Sheila and Dennis Tongue III has been on station since 2016.
More information about the Launch a Memory campaign can be found by clicking here.RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
For more information please contact James Stoker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at: [email protected] or Clare Hopps, Regional Media Officer on 07824 518641 or, [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
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.