
Eyemouth RNLI say farewell to the last Mersey class lifeboat in Scotland
Eyemouth crew escort retiring Anstruther RNLI’s ‘Kingdom of Fife’ lifeboat to the border
After 33 years of service, 39 lives saved and 469 people aided, Anstruther’s Mersey class lifeboat is being retired. The ‘Kingdom of Fife’ lifeboat launched from Anstruther harbour for the last time on Saturday morning (28 September 2024) and toured the flanking lifeboat stations before arriving at Eyemouth.
‘Kingdom of Fife’ 12-17 had her last night in Scotland berthed outside Eyemouth RNLI lifeboat station. On Sunday morning she launched for her last passage with the Anstruther volunteers and headed for Amble, accompanied by Eyemouth lifeboat ‘Helen Hastings’ and the St Abbs independent lifeboat.
As the boats approached the border with Berwick there was a last farewell as the horns sounded and the crews waved to each other.
Eyemouth RNLI Coxswain, Andrew Jamieson said, 'it was nice to escort the last operational Mersey in Scotland on Sunday. We wish them well operating their new Shannon lifeboat'.
Anstruther RNLI’s new Shannon class lifeboat, ’Robert and Catherine Steen’ 13-47 arrived in August this year. With a top speed of 25-knots – almost 50% faster than the Mersey – the jet propelled Shannon will reach those in need much quicker, allowing Anstruther to cover a larger area of coastline.
Notes to editors -
Eyemouth lifeboat station has been operating since 1876. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/eyemouth-lifeboat-station
RNLI media contacts -
Wendy Lorimer, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07946650114, [email protected]
Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
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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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