Clacton-on-Sea RNLI Bellringing Ceremony for new lifeboat
On Tuesday 2 April 2024 at 11.45am Clacton RNLI's new Shannon class lifeboat was welcomed off the production line.
As part of a tradition within the RNLI, every time a new lifeboat completes its construction and leaves the dedicated engineering teams within the ALC (All-Weather Lifeboat Centre) in Poole, Dorset a bell ringing ceremony is held. This saw some of RNLI Clacton’s ‘One Crew’ attend along with 70 plus engineering and support staff on the apron to welcome RNLB Chris and Jo West 13-52 for the first time to go afloat.
John Deas, RNLI Head of Production at the Lifeboat College presided over the events and proceeded to talk about the new Shannon, the donor’s that financially supported the build and to thank everyone involved. It was then time to ‘ring the bell’ at which point the new lifeboat was gently lowered into the waters next to the college.
Mark Walsham, RNLI Clacton-on-Sea Press Officer says:
‘Welcoming this new lifeboat will be a new chapter in Clacton RNLI’s longstanding history, that brings with it more training commitments and dedication from our crew. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers, their families, and employers for their continued support over what will be a busy – but exciting – few months.
'Our lifeboat service, first established in 1878 has a long and proud tradition of helping those in and around our beautiful coastline, and this new Shannon will strengthen and continue to build upon our extensive lifesaving history.
'We are especially exited today, at this bell ringing ceremony since it was almost nearly 40 years ago that Clacton said goodbye to its last offshore lifeboat, the Valentine Wydham- Quinn. Whilst much has changed in those years, our volunteer commitment has not, to ‘save lives at sea’.
The new Shannon lifeboat will now undergo a number of test, trials and checks over the next two months to ensure everything is working perfectly. During this time a relief Shannon lifeboat will be available to the Clacton volunteer crew to enable them to continue and complete their training, ready for the new lifeboat's arrival later this year.
Notes to Editors
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The new Shannon is called RNLB Chris and Jo West and has the designated boat number 13-52.
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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
Media contacts
Mark Walsham (RNLI Clacton Lifeboat Press Officer) – [email protected] / 07468511158 or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].
Key facts about the RNLI
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 142,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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