Appledore RNLI’s Shannon class lifeboat is operational

The achievement follows months of intensive training by the station’s volunteer team as they made the transition from a Tamar class all-weather lifeboat to the Shannon all-weather lifeboat.

RNLB Ruth and David Arthur was built at the RNLI’s All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in 2018–19 and has since served in the relief fleet, supporting stations across the UK and Ireland while their own lifeboats underwent maintenance. Funded by two generous westcountry legacies, she will now remain at Appledore permanently. The station will mark the occasion with a service of re-dedication during Sea Sunday on Sunday 12 July.

Reflecting on the station’s achievement, Phil Hill, RNLI Area Operations Manager, says;

‘The volunteer crew at Appledore have been working tirelessly for months to prepare and train for their new all-weather lifeboat. Their enthusiasm, commitment and determination to be the best for the community they serve, has shone through. They should be extremely proud of what they have achieved and the professionalism they have shown throughout. I know the wider RNLI and the community share my gratitude for these incredible volunteers and their commitment to saving lives at sea.’

Echoing this, Bob Meller, Appledore RNLI’s volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager highlighted the collective effort behind the transition. He said:

‘This is a major achievement for the station and is a huge testament to the many people who have helped us reach this point - our crew for their commitment to training, our wider team of volunteers for their support and our staff colleagues who facilitated the training and supported our journey.

‘We’re delighted to have reached this milestone and will now continue building towards a fully trained and sustainable crew for the Shannon.’

Tom Mansell, RNLI Regional Operations Manager, emphasised the scale of the work involved across the whole station;

‘On behalf of the RNLI, I want to thank everyone at Appledore for the extraordinary commitment shown throughout this transition. The scale of the training, assessments and behind the scenes work, often balanced alongside family and professional responsibilities, cannot be underestimated.

‘This is a significant achievement not just for the station, but for the RNLI as a whole, strengthening our lifesaving service on the North Devon coast. We are incredibly proud of the crew and the entire Appledore station team. Their professionalism, resilience and dedication truly represent the very best of the RNLI.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Amy Caldwell, RNLI Communications Staff Member for the south west [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

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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