Last Mersey-class RNLI lifeboat has final launch at Co Down port

The last Mersey-class lifeboat in the RNLI fleet was launched for a final time at Newcastle in County Down on Sunday after more than three decades of service, and crowds including past and present volunteers attended.

The last Mersey-class lifeboat in the RNLI fleet was launched for the final time at Newcastle in County Down on Sunday. The boat had been stationed at Newcastle RNLI since 1993 and had served for more than three decades. Mersey-class lifeboats were first introduced in 1988 and operated from stations across the UK and Ireland. Crowds, including volunteers both past and present, gathered to witness the farewell. Key facts: - The Mersey-class boat at Newcastle was the last operational vessel of that class in the RNLI fleet. - Mersey-class lifeboats were introduced in 1988 and served at 52 stations across the UK and Ireland. - During their service they came to the aid of 13,784 people and saved 1,254 lives, as reported. - The Newcastle boat had been stationed there since 1993 and was launched for a final time on Sunday. - In recent months Newcastle RNLI welcomed two new inshore lifeboats, an Atlantic 85 and a D class, and the RNLI reports the wider fleet can now reach 25 knots. Summary: The retirement of the Mersey class marks the end of that vessel type across the RNLI fleet and closes a chapter dating back to 1988. The article reports that Newcastle station now has newer inshore boats and that the RNLI is moving into the next phase of fleet modernisation.