Arklow RNLI prepares to welcome new Shannon class lifeboat

Lifeboat crew will travel to the Lifeboat Training College in Poole in Dorset and then plot their course for Arklow, with a couple of rest stops en route, finally landing home on Sunday, 13 October at precisely 13.53 which corresponds with the number on side of the new lifeboat.

While there is great excitement around our crew, family and supporters, it's also a bittersweet time as it will mark the retirement of the existing lifeboat Ger Tigchlearr which has been in service in Arklow since 1997.

Arklow RNLI is continuing to fundraise to prepare for the new Shannon arrival.

To make a donation, you can email [email protected] or call 040232850

Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI’s Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘Welcoming this new lifeboat is a great new chapter in Arklow RNLI’s almost 200 year history - that brings with it more training commitments and the ongoing dedication from our crew. We thank all our volunteers, their families, and employers for their continued support over what will be a busy – but exciting – few months.

'Our lifeboat service, first established at Arklow in 1826 has a long and proud tradition of helping those in and around our beautiful coastline, and this new Shannon will strengthen and continue to build upon our extensive lifesaving history.

'We would like to especially thank the people and companies that have dug deep in our appeal so far, to raise as much as possible in funds to help us support this new vessel, you can still support this appeal by contacting the station. To help us welcome our new lifeboat, we would love to see as many people as possible at the lifeboat station for 1pm on Sunday, 13 October.'

Ends

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0868260439, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager on 087 1254 124 or 01 8900 460 email [email protected]

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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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.