Arbroath RNLI welcome their new Atlantic 85 lifeboat
The £322,000 lifesaving vessel was built in-house by the RNLI and travelled north to Scotland yesterday (Tuesday 28 October) to its new home in Angus, marking the start of a new era of lifesaving in the town.
The new lifeboat has replaced an Atlantic 85 lifeboat from the RNLI’s relief fleet that arrived in 2023. The boat entered operational service in 2024, and since then the volunteer crew have completed 27 rescue missions, rescuing six people and have saved one life. Now the proud recipients of their own Atlantic 85 lifeboat, B-954 June Marshall is set to continue a vital lifesaving service on the waters in and around Arbroath.
The lifeboat has been funded by the legacy of June Marshall and is named after June in her honour. June Marshall lived in Surrey but had a very close relationship with the Arbroath Lifeboat Station. Every year June visited Arbroath, usually in September, and would pop in to catch up with the crew who meant so much to her. The order of service at June’s funeral included a photograph of her wearing RNLI branded clothing.
Arbroath RNLI volunteer, Michael Marr, joined the RNLI 17 years ago and fondly remembers the love and interest June had in Arbroath Lifeboat Station. Now Helm aboard the Atlantic 85, Michael is delighted to welcome the new boat and looks forward to the future of lifesaving aboard the vessel.
Michael said: ‘We are extremely grateful and honoured to accept our new Atlantic 85 lifeboat in memory of June Marshall. June was such a keen supporter of the RNLI, and despite living at the opposite end of the country had very close ties to Arbroath. As well as a regular visitor, June would call the lifeboat station on a Saturday, after our weekly exercise, to find out how we got on. It is a fitting privilege to carry June’s memory with us as we enter the next chapter here in Arbroath.’
Area Operations Manager Henry Weaver is delighted to accept the Atlantic 85 lifeboat into the fleet and looks forward to the many years of service in Arbroath: ‘The Atlantic 85 is an incredible lifeboat and has demonstrated it’s worth since going on service in 2024. This is an exciting time for the volunteer crew in Arbroath, and as we look to recruit a volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, we urge anyone available to give their time and service in what is a hugely rewarding role, to do so and join the team as we continue to save lives at sea.’
The Atlantic 85 design allows room for four crew members. It is powered by two 115 horse power engines and has a strong hull and top speed of 35 knots. The radar allows the crew to operate effectively in poor visibility and there is also VHF direction-finding equipment. The vessel has a manually operated self-righting mechanism which combined with inversion-proofed engines keeps the lifeboat operational even after capsize. The lifeboat can also be beached in an emergency without causing damage to its engines or steering gear.
The Atlantic 85 which was introduced to the RNLI fleet in 2005 also carries a full suite of communication and electronic navigation aids, as well as a searchlight, night-vision equipment and flares for night-time operations.
With 6/10 launches across the UK and Ireland made possible by gifts in wills, the legacy of supporters like June Marshall are hugely appreciated by the lifesaving charity.
ENDS
Notes to the editor:
- Media are invited to see the new Atlantic 85 lifeboat in Arbroath and talk with the volunteer crew on Friday 31 October at 10.00am.
Please RSVP to [email protected]
- Arbroath RNLI are currently recruiting for a volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager - Arbroath
- 6/10 RNLI launches across the UK and Ireland are made possible thanks to gifts in wills.
RNLI media contacts
Regional Communications Lead Scotland Martin Macnamara 07920 365929, [email protected]
Regional Communication Manager Scotland Richard Smith 07826 900639 [email protected]
RNLI Press Office 01202 336789 or [email protected]
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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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