Falmouth RNLI new Shannon class lifeboat is launched

The new lifeboat will now undergo a number of tests, checks and sea trials in Poole to ensure everything is working perfectly before she is expected in Falmouth in June.

Every time a new lifeboat completes its construction and leaves the dedicated engineering teams within the All-Weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) in Poole, a bell ringing ceremony is held.

The traditional method of ringing the eight bells comes from maritime history, signalling the end of the watch on ship and the start of a new watch. The RNLI conducts this ceremony when a new lifeboat replaces another lifeboat in the service.

John Deas, RNLI Head of Production, opened the proceedings and Rob Aggas, RNLI Senior Operations Manager (Fleet), and Dan Guy, RNLI Fleet staff coxswain, rang the bell eight times. The new lifeboat was then lowered into the water for the first time.

Decibel Too has been funded by a gift left in the will of Richard Coleman and administered by his friend Tony Vlasto and the RNLI City of London Committee. Richard was a keen yachtsman and made many significant solo voyages on his 18 ft Hillyard designed and built sloop, DECIBEL. He also served in the Royal Navy and had a profound appreciation of the valuable work of the RNLI. Thanks to his great generosity, this lifeboat will allow our volunteer crews to continue saving lives at sea for many years into the future.

Tony and other representatives from the RNLI City of London Committee, along with volunteers from Falmouth RNLI, were at the bell ringing and watched as Falmouth’s new RNLI Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Decibel Too was launched.

Dave Nicoll, RNLI Fundraising and Partnerships Lead and volunteer Deputy 2^nd Coxswain at Falmouth RNLI represented the station in accepting the lifeboat. He especially thanked the staff at the ALC, and said;

‘It was a real honour to join my fellow volunteers representing all aspects of the RNLI’s work in Falmouth in being invited to Poole to the All-weather Lifeboat Centre to see our new lifeboat being lowered into the water for the first time.

‘It’s been a busy year for the station. The lifeboat crew committed to many hours of intensive training and familiarisation to operate a Shannon class lifeboat and successfully passed out by the time the Severn class lifeboat departed from Falmouth at the end of January.

‘Our visits and shop teams have also undertaken training to learn about the new class of lifeboat, whilst continuing to welcome visitors to the station and answer questions from members of the public.

‘The whole station is looking forward to the arrival of their new and permanent Shannon lifeboat this summer and are extremely honoured with the significance behind her name. It’s a huge privilege that we can continue saving lives in a new lifeboat named in memory of Mr Coleman.’

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 146,000 lives.

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