Crowds gathered at Newcastle Harbour on Sunday to witness an “historic moment” as the last operational RNLI lifeboat of its kind launched for the final time. It was an emotional day for many of Newcastle Lifeboat Station’s volunteers and supporters as the Mersey class lifeboat took to the water one last time.
Hundreds of people turned out to bid farewell to the all-weather vessel, which has now been replaced by a different model, the Atlantic 85. The historic moment came at 12.20pm, coinciding with the number on the side of the lifeboat, ‘Leonard Kent’, as the final Mersey departed Newcastle for its last launch.
Onlookers gathered to watch the vessel go to sea via the station’s unique falls launching system, which has a history dating back to around 1785. This method has allowed the Mersey to be launched and recovered from the beach at low tide using a launch and recovery tractor and carriage, although the Mersey could also be launched from a slipway or lie afloat.
Volunteers from the flank station at Kilkeel travelled to Newcastle in both their new all-weather Shannon class and existing Atlantic 85 lifeboats, joining a flotilla after the Leonard Kent set off on its final voyage. Newcastle RNLI’s Atlantic 85 and D class lifeboats were also launched, while volunteers from Clogherhead, Kilkeel, Donaghadee, Larne and Portrush RNLI stations watched from the shore as the Mersey got under way for the last time.
Proud custodians of a Mersey class lifeboat since 1993, it was a deeply emotional occasion for past and present lifeboat volunteers, many of whom had the privilege of serving onboard one or both of the Mersey class vessels stationed at Newcastle over more than three decades. These included the Eleanor and Bryant Girling and, more recently, the Leonard Kent.
The Mersey class was introduced into the RNLI fleet in 1988 and, following the tradition of naming lifeboat classes after rivers, was named after the River Mersey. According to the RNLI, the class went on to be a “great servant” to the fleet, enabling crews to carry out their lifesaving role with distinction. With a top speed of 17 knots, it was the last all-weather lifeboat not capable of reaching 25 knots.
Its retirement means the entire RNLI fleet can now reach speeds of up to 25 knots, or around 29mph, allowing crews to reach casualties more quickly. The move also marks a new era of lifesaving for Newcastle RNLI, which in recent months has welcomed two new inshore lifeboats: the Atlantic 85 ‘Berylium’ and the D class ‘Cameronian’, both of which are now on service.
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