Bellringing ceremony for new state-of-the-art lifeboat set for Barry Dock RNLI

The RNLI marked the completion of the build of the Richard and Caroline Colton II with a traditional bellringing ceremony at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset.

The vessel will undergo extensive sea trials and equipment tests before sailing to its new home at Barry Dock RNLI Lifeboat Station in March.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mark Dowie, Chief Executive of the RNLI, said: ‘The completion of any new lifeboat is a special moment when we reflect on the future rescues these powerful boats will carry out, and the volunteer crews they’ll keep safe.

‘As you will see from the ‘13-51’ on the hull, this is the fifty-first Shannon to join the RNLI fleet. For ten years now, this capable class has been serving crews around our coasts. It is the most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat yet.’

The Richard and Caroline Colton II will be named in memory of the late Mr Richard Colton who left an extraordinary gift to the RNLI in his Will – two classic Ferrari cars, which were sold at auction for £8.5.

Lifeboat Chairman at Barry Dock Stuart McMillan said the generosity shown by Mr Colton and other donors means a great deal to the seagoing crew.

He said: ‘This kind and generous legacy has allowed our charity to fund this new vessel for Barry Dock RNLI.

‘It’s a huge privilege that we can continue serving saving lives in a new lifeboat named in memory of Mr and Mrs Colton.

‘It is a proud day for the production team at the All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole that we must thank, who witness another of their creations entering the water for first time and going on to serve the RNLI, to save lives at sea and keep her crew safe.’

Barry Dock Lifeboat full time Coxswain, Andy Gavan said: ‘The coming months will be dominated by training to familiarise the coxswains, mechanics and crew with quite a different lifeboat from our Trent Class lifeboat Inner Wheel II which has served at Barry Dock since 2006.’

The Shannon all-weather lifeboat is a very different vessel in terms of handling. Unlike the rest of the fleet, the Shannon is propelled by water jets instead of traditional propellers, making them more manoeuvrable and agile.

‘Richard and Caroline Colton II will be the ninth all-weather lifeboat to be stationed at Barry Dock since 1901, where 123 years of lifesaving have witnessed volunteer crew from our community showing the courage and selflessness to save lives at sea.

‘Today’s volunteer crew are proud to be a part of the lifesaving tradition and history of our lifeboat station, and to future rescues this lifeboat will carry out keeping our volunteer crew safe, especially in 2024, the 200th year of the RNLI.’

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.