Aldeburgh RNLI to bid farewell to 'Freddie Cooper' with fitting send off
On Sunday 27 October, Aldeburgh RNLI will celebrate the service of their all-weather lifeboat, Freddie Cooper. The Mersey class lifeboat has served the station proudly for 31 years.
RNLB Freddie Cooper (ON 1193) was delivered to Aldeburgh lifeboat station in 1993. With a top speed of 17 knots (approximately 20 mph) and the 1,110 litre fuel tanks powering two 280hp Caterpillar engines, it has a range of 240 nautical miles.
Chris Halder, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Aldeburgh, said: ‘We invite you to join us on Sunday 27 October from 1.30pm as we celebrate the remarkable service of the Mersey class all-weather lifeboat, Freddie Cooper.
'This special event will honour the lifeboat’s legacy over the past three decades and the brave crew members who launched 271 times, helping 351 people and saving 35 lives. Come together with the local community to give thanks for the years of service and bid farewell to Freddie Cooper.'
Freddie Cooper who the lifeboat is named after, used to holiday in Aldeburgh and funded the lifeboat with a gift in his will. He was a former director and secretary of the East Midland Allied Press and a managing director of Northamptonshire Newspaper Ltd.
HRH The Duke of Kent KG attended Aldeburgh on 31 May 1994 to formally name the station’s new lifeboat.
The Mersey class lifeboats were introduced as part of the RNLI’s modernisation drive in the late 20th century, with an expected 25-year lifespan. The lifeboats were engineered for speed and agility alongside their ability to launch from slipways and navigate shallow waters. As such, Freddie Cooper was particularly well-suited to the sometimes unpredictable conditions along the East Anglian coastline.
For over 30 years it has served as an essential tool in the RNLI’s mission to protect lives at sea, becoming a reliable presence in Aldeburgh’s maritime community.
For over 30 years it has served as an essential tool in the RNLI’s mission to protect lives at sea, becoming a reliable presence in Aldeburgh’s maritime community.
Freddie Cooper has had many notable launches:
A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Ian Firman following three people being rescued from the yacht
Red House Lugger which was in difficulties 30 miles east of Aldeburgh in rough seas, an estimated 20-foot swell and storm force winds on 29 August 1996.
A Bronze Medal Second Service Clasp was awarded to Coxswain/Mechanic Ian Firman for the rescue of the crew of four from the yacht Rosebank in appalling weather conditions on 28 May 2000.
A framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman of the Institution, Admiral Sir Jock Slater, was awarded to Coxswain Lee Firman and crewman David Cook for their actions in saving two crew and the yacht
SVEA on the night of 17 April 2004 in very poor weather conditions.
Last year the RNLI charity confirmed that an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat would operate permanently at Aldeburgh replacing the all-weather lifeboat when it came to the end of its operational life.
The Aldeburgh RNLI crew has undertaken extensive training on the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, since delivery in March 2024. It will operate alongside Aldeburgh's smaller D class inshore lifeboat.
Chris Halder continued: 'Naturally we’ll be very sad to say goodbye to Freddie Cooper, but as our all-weather lifeboat has reached the end of its operational life, we’re ready to start the next chapter of lifesaving in the town.
‘I’d like to offer heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our crew for their fantastic level of commitment and training that they have put in to familiarise themselves with the Atlantic 85 lifeboat. They have worked tirelessly to gain the necessary operational training on the new lifeboat and this is to be applauded.’
The lifeboat station is inviting people to come to a celebration of Freddie Cooper on Sunday 27 October from 1.30pm on the beach in front of the RNLI Aldeburgh boathouse. After a short service of thanks, Freddie Cooper will launch for the final time from Aldeburgh beach. She will be escorted by the two operational Aldeburgh lifeboats, the inshore lifeboats Susan Scott and Howard Bell.
Notes to editors
Aldeburgh lifeboat station has been operating since 1826 and has been part of the RNLI since 1852. Since formation, their lifeboats have launched 1,278 times and saved 693 lives.
Aldeburgh lifeboat station has two boats on service: Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat,
Howard Bell, and D class inshore lifeboat, Susan Scott.
RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact Jo Litt, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]
Alternatively, please contact RNLI North and East Regional Communications Manager, Clare Hopps, on [email protected] or 07824 518641 or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336 789 or [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 146,000 lives.
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