Lough Swilly RNLI
gets new lifeboat
13.04.26
A new Atlantic 85 class
lifeboat has gone on service at Lough Swilly RNLI. The
Davdot, which arrived at Buncrana lifeboat station on
Wednesday 8 April, replaces the Minnie and Ernest George
Barry, which has been used to save lives at sea off the
Inishowen peninsula, since 2007.
In its almost 19 years at Lough Swilly RNLI, the Minnie
and Ernest George Barry launched 265 times, with its
volunteer lifeboat crews rescuing 233 people, five of
whom were lives saved. The new lifeboat has been funded
by English couple Dorothy and David Robinson. |
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The Davdot at Lough Swilly
RNLI in Buncrana |
The Atlantic 85 is one of
the fastest in the RNLI’s fleet with a top speed of 35
knots. The lifeboat design allows room for four crew
members and is powered by two 115 horsepower engines.
The radar allows the crew to operate effectively in poor
visibility and it also comes with VHF direction-finding
equipment.
It has a manually operated self-righting mechanism which
combined with inversion-proofed engines keeps the boat
operational even after capsize. The lifeboat can also be
beached in an emergency without causing damage to its
engines or steering gear.
The Atlantic 85 carries a full suite of communication
and electronic navigation aids, as well as a
searchlight, night-vision equipment and flares for
night-time operations.
Speaking following the arrival of the new lifeboat, Joe
Joyce, Lough Swilly RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager
said: "We are extremely grateful to Dorothy and David
for their generous donation which has funded our new
lifeboat. As we welcome a new lifeboat, there is also a
sense of nostalgia among us today too as we bid a fond
farewell to the Minnie and Ernest George Barry which
provided us with nearly two decades of reliable service.
During its time here at Lough Swilly, the Minnie and
Ernest George Barry saved lives and brought many more
people safely to shore and we hope the donor’s family
will be just as proud as we are, of its many
achievements.
"We are looking forward to this new chapter and to being
the custodians of the Davdot, which will allow our
volunteers to go on to rescue and save many more lives
in the years to come." |
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