Dunbar RNLI join farewell to the Mersey
Dunbar’s RNLI volunteers were proud to accompany their colleagues at Anstruther as they bade farewell to their long-serving Mersey class all-weather lifeboat yesterday (Saturday).
RNLB Kingdom of Fife spent 33 years on service at Anstruther and in that time completed 508 rescues, coming to the aid of 469 people and saving 39 lives. Her reign came to an end following the successful introduction of a Shannon-class lifeboat in the Fife town.
As she departed Scottish waters for the last time, her volunteer crew visited flank stations in the Forth. Dunbar’s Trent class all-weather lifeboat John Neville Taylor and D class inshore lifeboat David Lauder launched to greet the Mersey as she departed for Eyemouth.
Dunbar RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Ian Wilson said: ‘It was rather a bittersweet moment yesterday as we bade farewell to the Kingdom of Fife. She joined our two lifeboats off Dunbar before sailing south at the end of 33 years of service and 508 rescues – some of those shared with us. We’re proud to have been a part of her story, wish her well in whatever the future holds, and look forward to working with the Anstruther crew and their fabulous new Shannon class lifeboat.’
The Kingdom of Fife was the last operational Mersey class in Scotland for the RNLI. However, the arrival of the £2.5m Shannon, RNLB Robert and Catherine Steen, signalled an enhancement in lifesaving capabilities. With a top speed of 25-knots – almost 50 per cent faster than the Mersey – the Shannon can reach those in need much quicker, allowing Anstruther to cover a larger area of coastline.
Notes to Editors
Established in 1808, 16 years before the formation of the RNLI, Dunbar Lifeboat Station is one of the oldest in Scotland and is located on the south side of the mouth of the Firth of Forth. Since its formation, its volunteer crews have been honoured with 12 awards for gallantry.
It operates two lifeboats – the Trent class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) John Neville Taylor, moored at Torness Power Station, and the D-class inshore lifeboat (ILB) David Lauder, which launches from Dunbar Harbour.
RNLI media contacts
Douglas Wight, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]
Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Tom McGuire, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland, 00353 87 476 4436, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office (available 24 hours) 01202 336789 [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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