End of an era: Berwick set to wave goodbye to all-weather lifeboat
Last updated 14th Apr 2023
People in Berwick are being invited to line the pier tomorrow (Saturday) to wave goodbye to the town's all-weather lifeboat.
The Joy and Charles Beeby - which has served the station for 30 years - is being replaced with a smaller inshore vessel.
Although quicker, concerns have been raised that it could lead to delays responding to some emergencies.
But the RNLI is reassuring residents appropriate cover will be provided by Eyemouth or Seahouses when needed.
Kevin Knox, volunteer lifeboat operations manager at Berwick, said: "Naturally we’ll be very sad to say goodbye to our all-weather lifeboat Joy and Charles Beeby. She has served us proudly for 30 years, saving lives at sea and bringing loved ones back to their families.
"It will be the end of an era for the lifeboat station and its volunteers but as our all-weather lifeboat has reached the end of its operational life, we’re ready to start the next chapter of lifesaving in the town.
"I’d like to offer heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our crew for their fantastic level of commitment and training that they have put in to familiarise themselves with the Atlantic 85 lifeboat. They have worked tirelessly to gain the necessary operational training on the new lifeboat and this is to be applauded."
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The all-weather lifeboat will launch from the town's boathouse for the final time at 9.15am on Saturday (April 14th).
Lifeboats from St Abbs, Eyemouth and Seahouses will then escort it out past the pier.
Other good vantage points for the public to gather will be the boathouse in Dock Road and Spittal beach.
Joe Mitchell, RNLI area life-saving manager, said: "It will be a very poignant day when we wave goodbye to Berwick RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat and everyone will be saddened to say farewell.
"As she has reached the end of her operational life and we look to the future, the A85 will amount to an improvement upon our lifesaving capability in the area. With a top speed of 35 knots, it is much faster than both the Mersey and the Shannon Class all-weather lifeboats; it can reach casualties more quickly and it also has a better shallow-water capability.
"We are very grateful for all that our volunteers do and are confident the Berwick crew will continue to maintain their superb lifesaving tradition."
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