Let the bell ring for Duke of Edinburgh
This week (5 July), staff working in or visiting the RNLI Support Centre in Poole gathered with a few crew members from Wells-next-the-Sea Lifeboat Station to celebrate the completion of the new Shannon lifeboat at the All-weather Lifeboat Centre.
Marking the special moment when the latest Shannon to come off the production line was launched into the water for the first time, we rang the ceremonial bell eight times. This was to celebrate the dedication and hard work of our production staff over the past 12 months to ensure this boat is safe and all set to start saving lives in Wells-next-the-Sea.
Once trained, the crew will soon be launching and saving lives alongside the names of nearly 15,000 loved ones submitted through Launch a Memory on the new Shannon class lifeboat named Duke of Edinburgh in tribute to the late HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Chief Executive Mark Dowie says: ‘We are delighted to honour Prince Philip’s longstanding commitment to maritime services and lifetime of support to Her Majesty The Queen, who has been our Patron since 1952. Building lifeboats and leading lifesaving equipment is something we do every day, but every lifeboat marks a very meaningful moment in history. For crews they are welcoming a new boat which will help our lifesavers work towards saving every one, and for RNLI supporters, they will know this lifeboat is launching in memory of so many loved ones every time she receives the call for help.’
You can watch the video from Tuesday.
With more names of loved ones on a lifeboat than ever before, this Shannon has names added to both sides and her roof from supporters who have donated as part of the RNLI’s third Launch a Memory campaign. The Lifeboat Fund is the principal donor, with the Wells Shannon being the 53rd lifeboat generously funded by The Lifeboat Fund and in part through generous donations from the local Wells community.
Supporters will have the opportunity to get tickets to view the lifeboat and see their name in late August. Please keep an eye out over the next few weeks on the RNLI’s website for more information on how to get your tickets.
Area Lifesaving Manager, Shaun Edwards, says: ‘In readiness to receive the Shannon we needed a bigger station. Building work began on the beach at Wells-next-the-Sea in September 2020. We’re extremely grateful for the hard work that has gone into this development so far. The crew have been patiently awaiting the arrival of the Shannon but are now looking forward to their programme of training which will take place over the next couple of months to enable them to operate this state-of-the-art lifeboat. There is such pride amongst crew that every time they launch, they will be accompanied by nearly 15,000 names. Like thousands of others, I will have a personal affinity to this Shannon with a loved one’s names recorded onboard.’
The new station will also have an engaging visitor area and RNLI shop, so before long we will be able to welcome supporters, friends, and family. You can watch a video of the station being built to stay up to date with the developments for our lifesavers in this area.
Lifesaving Operations Manager, Chris Hardy, says: ‘We’ve been served admirably by our Mersey class lifeboat which is also a fantastic vessel. However, our lifesaving requirements have expanded and affected how we operate off the Norfolk coastline. The Shannon will help take us forward in all weathers. The crew are eagerly awaiting its arrival and can’t wait to make the boat fully operational on station. We are also planning some local events to celebrate this Launch a Memory lifeboat in the coming months with the public in Wells.’
This article is also on the RNLI website.
Photo credit: RNLI/Nathan Williams