The last of Scotland’s Mersey-class lifeboats ended lifesaving operations in Anstruther at 10.00am this morning (Tuesday 27 August), signalling the end of an era in Scottish maritime rescue.
RNLB Kingdom of Fife arrived in Anstruther on 21 August 1991, and during her service has completed 508 rescues, coming to the aid of 469 people and has saved 39 lives. Her 33-year reign came to an end today following the successful introduction of a Shannon-class lifeboat in the Fife town.
The £2.5m Shannon, RNLB Robert and Catherine Steen, assumes operational service and brings with it an enhancement in lifesaving capabilities. With a top speed of 25-knots – almost 50% faster than the Mersey – the Shannon will reach those in need much quicker, allowing Anstruther to cover a larger area of coastline.
It’s a bittersweet day in Anstruther as the Mersey enters retirement and is replaced by her state-of-the-art successor, but the change has been months in the offing and is the culmination of endless hours of training by the volunteer crew. Anstruther’s Lifeboat Operations Manager Roy Giles is extremely proud of the effort made by all in reaching this milestone.
Roy said: ‘Since a Shannon-class lifeboat arrived for training back in February, our volunteer crew have put in an incredible amount of time and effort in to get our new lifeboat on service. We estimate that over 60 launch and recoveries have taken place as our crews learn a completely new way of working. I’d like to thank everyone involved in getting us to this stage as we look forward to a new era of lifesaving here in Anstruther.’
Anstruther lifeboat station will host its annual open day this Saturday (31 August) where supporters can see both lifeboats side-by-side in what will be one the final opportunities to see a Mersey-class lifeboat in Scotland. Plans are afoot for a fitting departure in the coming weeks.
RNLB Kingdom of Fife arrived in Anstruther on 21 August 1991, and during her service has completed 508 rescues, coming to the aid of 469 people and has saved 39 lives. Her 33-year reign came to an end today following the successful introduction of a Shannon-class lifeboat in the Fife town.
The £2.5m Shannon, RNLB Robert and Catherine Steen, assumes operational service and brings with it an enhancement in lifesaving capabilities. With a top speed of 25-knots – almost 50% faster than the Mersey – the Shannon will reach those in need much quicker, allowing Anstruther to cover a larger area of coastline.
It’s a bittersweet day in Anstruther as the Mersey enters retirement and is replaced by her state-of-the-art successor, but the change has been months in the offing and is the culmination of endless hours of training by the volunteer crew. Anstruther’s Lifeboat Operations Manager Roy Giles is extremely proud of the effort made by all in reaching this milestone.
Roy said: ‘Since a Shannon-class lifeboat arrived for training back in February, our volunteer crew have put in an incredible amount of time and effort in to get our new lifeboat on service. We estimate that over 60 launch and recoveries have taken place as our crews learn a completely new way of working. I’d like to thank everyone involved in getting us to this stage as we look forward to a new era of lifesaving here in Anstruther.’
Anstruther lifeboat station will host its annual open day this Saturday (31 August) where supporters can see both lifeboats side-by-side in what will be one the final opportunities to see a Mersey-class lifeboat in Scotland. Plans are afoot for a fitting departure in the coming weeks.
