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New Hartlepool RNLI lifeboat arrives

Lifeboats News Release

Hartlepool RNLI's new £2.45m lifeboat John Sharp arrived in style on Sunday afternoon bedecked with colourful bunting and accompanied by lifeboats from both Redcar and Sunderland lifeboat stations and Hartlepool's relief all weather lifeboat RNLB Edward Duke of Windsor and inshore lifeboat Solihull.

As the flotilla of boats approached Hartlepool a spectacular water salute from one of the Svitzer Phoenix was provided to add to the occasion as dozens of spectators watched from the Headland Town Wall on a sunny afternoon.

Aboard the new Shannon class lifeboat the Hartlepool volunteer crew Matt Blanchard, Matt Adams, Darren Killick, Jake Oates and Andy Johnson along with RNLI staff coxswain Dan Guy who were aboard the vessel on its four day passage to Hartlepool from Poole in Dorset waved to family and friends as it approached its new berth at the Ferry Road lifeboat station.

Volunteer crewmember Andy Johnson who travelled from Poole on the lifeboat said 'Before and during our passage to Hartlepool we have been busy training and learning all about what the boat can do. It's an amazing vessel. Very different to our Trent class lifeboat but most importantly we will continue to help to save lives at sea 24-7.'

Lifeboat Operations manager Steve Pounder said 'This is a very proud day for Hartlepool RNLI and the town and all our supporters as the charity celebrates its 200th year. The Shannon class lifeboat is an amazing boat and our volunteer crew are really looking forward to the training and going to sea on it'.

Hartlepool RNLI chairman Malcolm Cook said 'We are very grateful to the late John Sharp for financing our new Shannon class lifeboat for Hartlepool. I know the crew have been looking forward to this day for many months now. The technology change from our present lifeboat to the Shannon is incredible. Once again the RNLI are providing us with a highly capable vessel which will go to sea in any weather to assist anyone in trouble. We look forward to meeting the Sharp family at some point next year for the official naming ceremony.'

Hartlepool RNLI Coxswain Robbie Maiden said 'I'm excited that the RNLI can see the dedication that the RNLI volunteer crew are giving and are prepared to provide us with the latest vessel to be placed here at Hartlepool ensuring the safety of not only our crew but also the seafarers and people in Hartlepool along the coast. '

The new Shannon class lifeboat will go into service early next year when training for the volunteer crew members is completed which is when the ALB Betty Huntbatch will leave Hartlepool to join the reserve fleet to cover for other lifeboat stations whose own boats are off service for maintenance.

The funding of the Shannon is thanks to the generous gift left to the Charities Aid Foundation by John Sharp, who died in 2019. A successful mathematician by training, John lived modestly but was a highly skilled and active investor.

John spent many years researching the Sharp family’s ancestry. It included the commissioning by his ancestor (also named John Sharp) of one of Lionel Lukin’s patented ‘unimmergible boats’ in 1786. This helped a local community on the North East coast to be better equipped to face the extreme dangers of venturing out into storms to save drowning sailors.

With John’s gift, the new Shannon class lifeboat John Sharp will continue the Sharp family’s invaluable legacy ensuring a safer coast in the North East for years to come.

RNLI Media Contacts


Hartlepool RNLI volunteer press officer Tom Collins email: [email protected]

Clare Hopps (RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North East and East): [email protected] Tel:07824 518641




RNLI/Tom Collins

A spectacular display from the Svitzer tug Phoenix Cross as the new Hartlepool RNLI all weather lifeboat (second right) approaches Hartlepool accompanied by RNLI lifeboats from Hartlepool, Redcar and Sunderland. Pic by Tom Collins

RNLI/Tom Collins

Hartlepool RNLI new Shannon class lifeboat John Sharp pictured arriving at Hartlepool on Sunday.

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.

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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.

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