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RNLI Clacton celebrate historic arrival of Shannon class lifeboat

Lifeboats News Release

This past Saturday, 16 November saw a landmark event for the volunteers and hundreds of our supporters at RNLI Clacton in readying for the arrival of our new Shannon ALB (All Weather Lifeboat) ‘RNLB Chris and Jo West’.

‘RNLB Chris and Jo West’ 13-52 moments before first beaching in Clacton.

Stacey Dommett

‘RNLB Chris and Jo West’ 13-52 moments before first beaching in Clacton.

The previous week, volunteer crew members alongside the RNLI fleet team had embarked upon the passage from Poole in Dorset to Ipswich to bring the new lifeboat to the Tendring coast. Not only were the afloat crews busy, but our dedicated teams from the wider lifeboat community put together a stunning event for everyone to enjoy.

Our ladies fundraising group provided refreshments, local baker ‘The Norwegian Baker’ laid out a tempting array of pastries, colouring in for children, information about our new lifeboat and access to our current lifeboats. On a cold, but bright day, many supporters visited the boathouse to enjoy all it had to offer.

Around 1.30pm, in an iconic moment, all those assembled watched on in wonder as a flotilla of local lifeboats appeared upon the horizon, crewed by our volunteers from our flanking stations Harwich, West Mersea and Burnham-on-Crouch escorting Clacton’s Atlantic 85 B-Class lifeboat ‘David Porter MPS’ and D-Class ILB (Inshore Lifeboat) ‘Damar’s Pride’ and spearheaded by 13-52 ‘RNLB Chris and Jo West’.

Crowds of our supporters were treated to a demonstration of the agility of our new Shannon lifeboat, which uses a powerful water jet system for propulsion with several tight spins on the water, before the lifeboat manoeuvred for the final approach to the beach shortly before 2pm.

The Shannon picked up speed and headed directly towards Martello beach and beaching the new lifeboat successfully – to a loud cheer and applause from everyone in attendance.

Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, Lisa Parker said ‘On behalf of the RNLI Clacton lifeboat family, I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved on this historic day for the station. Our volunteers, supporters and community working together, along with this new state of the art lifeboat will help to bring many loved ones safely back home.’

Volunteer Shore Crew member, Lee said ‘Having just recently joined as volunteer crew it was fantastic to be able to be part of such a significant event and to experience first-hand the excitement, appreciation and support of the local community that came out to welcome the Shannon to Clacton.’

Volunteer Atlantic 85 Crew member, Carlo said ‘One of my best memories, from Saturday, was watching the Shannon beach and hearing the crowd cheer and feeling the atmosphere, it was a real great feeling to be part of it and the outpouring of love for our volunteers and the work they do 24/7 and 365 days a year’.

The new lifeboat made possible by a significant donation from Mr & Mrs Chris West who had previously watched in awe as one of our volunteer crews at another station repeatedly launched to assist several vessels during some very stormy conditions, were both highly impressed by the bravery and determination shown. It was then Mr and Mrs West decided to donate to our charity, along with other generous donors too.

Volunteer Press Officer, Mark Walsham said ‘An epic day unfolded as planned for RNLI Clacton with the arrival of our new lifeboat. We all feel deeply moved by the massive support shown to our volunteers this Saturday. It is all made possible by continued generous public donations to the RNLI, and the hard work, dedication and bravery of all our volunteers. We look forward to building upon the outstanding legacy of lifesaving services in Clacton and the Tendring coast which began in 1878.’

‘For those that were unable to attend in person, a live stream of the arrival is available from our Facebook feed, so you can relive the moment again and again!’

Notes to the editor

  • The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea.
  • The event was live streamed on RNLI Clacton’s Facebook page.
  • RNLI Clacton was founded in 1878 and has been awarded 24 medals.
  • Our volunteers are not paid and donate their time freely to help others.
  • The Shannon class lifeboat fleet number is 13-52 and named ‘RNLB Chris and Jo West’.
  • The charity relies on donations.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact:

Mark Walsham, RNLI Clacton volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07468511158, or [email protected]

Flotilla of RNLI Lifeboats from RNLI Clacton and flank stations.

Jeff Welch

Flotilla of RNLI Lifeboats from RNLI Clacton and flank stations.
First time RNLI Clacton’s new lifeboat beached and is ready for recovery.

Jeff Welch

First time RNLI Clacton’s new lifeboat beached and is ready for recovery.
RNLI Clacton recover the Shannon lifeboat using the new SLARS system.

Jeff Welch

RNLI Clacton recover the Shannon lifeboat using the new SLARS system.

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.

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