HUNDREDS gathered at Whitmore Bay to witness the arrival of the RNLI’s new lifeboat on Sunday, March 17.
Crowds gathered on the promenade of Barry Island to welcome home Barry Dock's new state-of-the-art Shannon class lifeboat, the Richard and Caroline Colton II.
Five crew members travelled to RNLI college and training centre in Poole, the week before to undergo extensive training before returning to Barry on a four-day passage via Guernsey, Falmouth, Newlyn, and Swansea and arrived at Barry Dock at noon.
Barry Dock RNLI Coxswain, Andy Gavan, had the important role of bringing the Shannon home. It was a historic moment for Mr Gavan who has operated three different classes of lifeboats.
Speaking on Sunday, He said: “It has been a long passage for our crew on our route back to Barry Dock, but we have taken the time to get acquainted with the advanced technology on board the lifesaving equipment, running through repeated drills and scenarios.
WATCH: People react to the new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat. Video: Barry Dock RNLI
“We experienced sea conditions which demonstrated the full capabilities of our Shannon class lifeboat, giving the crew confidence in their abilities also. Bringing this lifeboat home to Barry Dock is one of the greatest honours of my RNLI career.
“Rounding the corner of the headland and seeing the crowds who had turned to welcome us home was an incredibly humbling and emotional experience which will stay with me for a very long time.”
Mr Gavan has operated the D class inshore lifeboat, the Trent and now the Shannon.
He added: “Whilst our Trent class lifeboat has served us well for two decades, this modern, faster, and more capable lifeboat will help us to save more lives off the coast of the Bristol Channel.
“We are incredibly grateful for all the support we have received from the generosity of public members, our flank stations, our search, and rescue partners of Coastguard Rescue Teams and National Coastwatch, to our local towers. Today would have not happened without this support.
For the final leg of the journey, back to Barry, the crew was joined by Atlantic Pacific volunteers on board the Naomi, one of the last original UWC Atlantic ribs.
The Terra Nova ABP Pilot vessel and Bristol Pilots Bristol interceptor, RNLI lifeboats from Porthcawl, Penarth, Portishead, Weston-Super-Mare, Burnham, and Minehead, as well as Whitmore Bay Lifeguards' Rescue Watercraft and Barry Dock's Trent and D class lifeboats, also joined them.
Ben Phillips, Mechanic at Barry Dock lifeboat station added: “We’ve been planning this for quite a while and arranging the flotilla. We knew how many boats would be there but seeing them all together from our flank stations was incredible. A once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
“The remainder of the volunteer crew will now undergo training and familiarisation with the new lifeboat before it goes into full service.
“In the meantime, Barry Dock’s existing Trent all-weather lifeboat will remain on service with the D class inshore lifeboat, to ensure the crew can continue saving lives at sea.”
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