Lifeboat crew all set for action
Faster £2 million boat replaces old faithful
Scarborough’s all new Shannon-class lifeboat will become operational on Monday after a tough RNLI training programme for the crew.
Scarborough RNLI’s new Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat will become operational on Monday.
The Mersey lifeboat which has been used for the last quarter of a century will enter the RNLI’s reserve fleet as a relief lifeboat covering those going in for services and maintenance.
Since the Shannon’s arrival on November 27, the lifesaving crews have been training flat out, observed by inspectors from the RNLI headquarters in Poole.
Coxswain Tom Clark and lifeboat operations manager John Senior have been informed by the bosses in Poole that everyone has been formally passed out.
John said: “Tom and I have just had the news that we have passed out as fit for operations on our new Shannon-class lifeboat.
“This normally takes two months and Scarborough did it with three weeks of hard graft! I’m very proud of the lifeboat crews.”
Tom said he was looking forward to the Shannon taking over from the Mersey but that his feelings were tempered by sadness.
“I have served on the Mersey since she came in 1991 and we will all be pretty sad to see her sail into the sunset for the last time.”
The £2 million lifeboat has been funded by donations from the F W Plaxton Charitable Trust and will be named Frederick William Plaxton.
An RNLI fundraising appeal raised £200,000 towards the cost of a bespoke launch and recovery vehicle for the new lifeboat.
The new lifeboat house includes a revamped shop and an exhibition space where those who visit can learn about the history of the lifesaving charity.
There are also upgraded volunteer crew facilities with extra space for lifesaving training and an up-to-date drying room for their kit.
A sum of £10,000 came from Proudfoot stores as the proceeds of the 5p plastic bag revenues.
The new lifeboat will be named during an official ceremony early next Spring.
An official opening ceremony will also be held next year for the lifeboat house, though the RNLI is yet to reveal who will perform the honours.