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A final salute to Alderney Lifeboat Roy Barker I as she makes her final voyage

Lifeboats News Release

After 30 years of service to the island, Alderney’s RNLI all weather Trent Class lifeboat Roy Barker I commenced on her final voyage to RNLI headquarters in Poole.

Crewed by the longest serving members of the existing RNLI crew, the vessel set sail at 10:30am on Friday, 6 September 2024. Escorted by her replacement lifeboat Alderney's new all weather Trent Class lifeboat Inner Wheel II, Roy Barker I made her final journey out of Braye Harbour along Alderney's iconic Breakwater and onward to Poole.

Alderney Residents along with the Island's Emergency Services including the Alderney Fire Brigade and Alderney's St John Ambulance and Rescue turned out to bid farewell with a display of their lights and sirens to show respect of the vessel's long service to the Island and as a final salute to her onwards journey.

Steve Shaw, former retired Coxswain of 19 years said 'As Alderney's first lifeboat Coxswain it was an honour and privilege to bring the Roy Barker I into service in Alderney in 1994 having had the prototype Trent Class lifeboat on station evaluation for one year. The Roy Barker I has served Alderney and its crew on multiple rescues and medivacs during her time on station.

As retired Coxswain it is wonderful to see the lifeboat and its crew evolving as technology and training advances and I wish the new boat and her crew Godspeed.'

Margaret Storer, Chairperson of the Lifeboat Guild said 'So long, farewell, it's been good to know you. The final send off was very emotional watching our lifeboat of 30 years commence on her onward journey to pastures new. I wish her" fair winds and following seas.'

Alderney's new lifeboat Inner Wheel II which arrived on Tuesday, 3rd September is now in situ at Braye Harbour ready and waiting to start her new life in the Channel Islands.

History
After a 100-year absence, a lifeboat was re-established in Alderney in 1984 and in 1994 after several temporary lifeboats served the island the existing lifeboat Earl and Countess Mountbatten of Burma was withdrawn and replaced by the Trent class Roy Barker I where she stayed in service for 30 years until the 6 September 2024.

Roy Barker I and Inner Wheel II

RNLI/Jo Parmentier

Both lifeboats alongside ready for departure.
Crew and retired Coxswain before departure

RNLI/Jo Parmentier

Longest serving crew members with retired Coxswain Steve Shaw
Arriving in Poole

RNLI/Katie Beney

Roy Barker II arriving at RNLI HQ in Poole
Final goodbye to Roy Barker I

RNLI/Katie Beney

The final moments for the crew with Roy Barker I

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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