Aldeburgh RNLI training Atlantic 85 now on service
Aldeburgh RNLI training Atlantic 85 now on service
Lifeboats News Release
Today (Monday 14 October) at 8am, Aldeburgh RNLI announced that their training Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Howard Bell, went on service replacing the station's much loved Mersey class, all-weather lifeboat Freddie Cooper.
Today is a culmination of a sustained effort of training. Since the end of March the volunteers at Aldeburgh have been training in their new roles as Shore Crew, Tractor Drivers, Head Launchers, Helms and Boat Crew ready for this day.
With the help of RNLI Trainer Assessors various milestones have been passed on the journey to going on service. Assessments ashore and afloat have been successful for Head Launcher, Tractor Drivers, Shore Crew, Helms and Boat crew who also attended a two day emergency procedures course at the RNLI College in Poole, specific to the new class of lifeboat.
In August, a significant milestone was reached when the station was given the green light to use the boat on exercise without a trainer assessor being present, training exercises continued. Last month, a meeting between the Helms, the Lifeboat Operations Manager, Launch Authorities and the Training Coordinator agreed 14 October as the date to put the Atlantic 85 on service.
This represents a significant amount of effort, training and commitment from all the volunteers at Aldeburgh RNLI. This effort and commitment will continue as the crew continue to learn the capabilities of the new class of lifeboat and to qualify in various aspects of its operation.
Bryn Owen, Aldeburgh RNLI Training Coordinator said: 'I am immensely proud of what the volunteers have achieved, their time, effort, commitment and dedication to reach this point in the history of Aldeburgh RNLI is so commendable. They are a great bunch of people who make a very effective team, the town should be proud of them.'
Notes to editors
The current generation of B class, called the Atlantic 85, was introduced in 2005 and is one of the fastest craft in the RNLI fleet.
Although designed to operate in shallower water, the Atlantic 85 can also handle fairly challenging open sea conditions. In the event of a capsize, it can be manually righted by an inflatable bag and the crew can quickly restart its inversion-proofed engines.
Length: 8.44m
Speed: 35 knots (approx 40 miles per hour)
Endurance: 3 hours max, until refuelling is necessary
Crew: 3–4
Weight: 1.8 tonnes
Engine: 2 x 115hp
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]
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.