Local News

Relief Inshore lifeboat on station at Scarborough 14 September 2011

Scarborough's inshore lifeboat John Wesley Hillard III is temporarily off station undergoing routine maintenance and has been replaced with an inshore lifeboat from the relief fleet. The relief lifeboat is numbered D730 she is also an IB1 and is named "Constance Green". She was donated to the RNLI by the Constance Green Foundation.

New All Weather Lifeboat for Scarborough

Scarborough will be one of the first lifeboat stations in the country to receive an innovative new class of RNLI lifeboat, the Shannon 13 Metres in length powered by twin water jets with an operational speed of 25 knots A drawing ofan example of the Shannon class lifeboat is shown below

A drawing of the Shannon class of Lifeboat

The new £1.5m lifeboat will replace Scarborough’s current RNLI Mersey class lifeboat, Fanny Victoria Wilkinson and Frank Stubbs, when she comes to the end of her operational life in around three years time. The new lifeboat will be funded by a generous legacy from Frederic William Plaxton, former chairman of Scarborough-based coach building firm Plaxton.

Colin Lawson, Scarborough RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said everyone connected with Scarborough lifeboat station was thrilled to hear that they will be one of the first in the country to operate the new class of lifeboat. He added: ‘The Shannon is a revolutionary vessel, quite different to our current lifeboat, and the volunteer crew at Scarborough are very much looking forward to receiving her on station. We are so grateful for the generous gift from Mr Plaxton - legacies are a very important source of funding for our charity and without people like Mr Plaxton, the RNLI would be unable to carry out its vital lifesaving role.’

The Shannon has been designed in-house by RNLI naval architects who have harnessed cutting-edge technology to ensure the new lifeboat meets the demands of a 21st century rescue service and to allow the charity’s volunteer crew to do their lifesaving work as safely as possible in all weather conditions. The new lifeboat features twin water jets instead of conventional propellers, allowing her to operate in shallow waters and be highly manoeuvrable, giving the crew greater control when alongside other craft and when in confined waters. The water jets also reduce the risk of damage to the lifeboat during launch and recovery, or when intentionally beached.She will be the first RNLI all-weather lifeboat to run on water jets instead of propellers. The Shannon’s seats are designed to protect the crew members’ spines as much as possible from the forces of the sea in rough weather. Additionally, the Shannon incorporates SIMS (System and Information Management System) which allows the crew to monitor the lifeboat from the safety of their seats, again reducing the likelihood of injury to the volunteer crew members during search and rescue operations. With a top speed of 25 knots, the Shannon is faster than her predecessor the Mersey, which has a top speed of 17 knots.

The introduction of the Shannon will be the first step in enabling the RNLI to fulfil its commitment to ensure that all its operational all-weather lifeboats have a top speed of 25 knots – a crucial factor when lives are at risk. The Shannon can be launched and recovered from beaches independent of slipways and harbours and a new RNLI tractor and carriage is also being developed to accompany the Shannon. Like all RNLI all-weather lifeboats, the Shannon is self-righting and will return to an upright position in the event of a capsize during extreme weather or sea conditions. The new class of lifeboat will undergo full sea trials later this year, with the first operational Shannon class lifeboats going on station in 2013. Mr Plaxton, who was known as Eric, left the RNLI at Scarborough a generous legacy in 1995, administered by the Plaxton Charitable Trust. The legacy was specifically for Scarborough’s next all-weather lifeboat and because at that time Scarborough’s current vessel was relatively new, the funds had to be set aside until the station’s Mersey class came to the end of her operational life and there was a need for a replacement lifeboat. The new lifeboat will be named Frederick William Plaxton in honour of Mr Plaxton’s father, the founder of the family coach building firm.

A presentation evening was held at Scarborough Yacht Club on 6 May 2011 to recognise the 102 years combined service given to Scarborough Lifeboat Station by Francis Appleby, John Pearson, Mick Baker and Syd Garson . All were welcomed by Colin Lawson Scarborough Lifeboat Operations Manager.

Francis Appleby receiving his Certificate of Service from Coxswain tom Clark

Francis Appleby pictured on the left who has just retired as Head Tractor Driver after giving33 years service was presented with a Certificate of service a photograph signed by the crew and a piece of engraved crystal. Francis joined as a shore helper in February 1978, joined the all weather lifeboat crew in 1983, left the crew in January 1990 to be appointed Head Launcher a position he held until being appointed Head Tractor Driver in 1992’. John Pearson, pictured right was a crew member from 1974 to 2002 when he left to join the shore crew. He stayed with the shore crew until he retired for the first time in 2004. He then rejoined the shore crew in 2008 until he retired again in 2011.

John Pearson received his Certificate of Service from Coxswain tom Clark

Mick Baker pictured right was a crew member from 1983 until 1992 giving 10 years service. When he left he unfortunately did not receive his Certificate of Service so that omission was rectified today with Coxswain Tom Clark presenting it to him.

Mick Baker receiving his certificate of service from Coxswain Tom Clark

Syd Garson pictured right was the Station Chairman for 22 years and he is shown recieiving his certificate and framed picture. Syd became Chairman of the Station Management Committee in 1988 and although he oversaw many changes through the years Syd was particularly thanked by Colin for steering the team through a transition in 2003 to the present Lifeboat Management Group.

Syd Garson, receiving his Certificate of Service from Coxswain tom Clark

Federation of Railway Clubs raise £870.00 for Scarborough Lifeboat Station Scarborough’s Ambassador Hotel was the venue for the Federation of Railway Clubs(Eastern) annual conference. The clubs are social clubs which prior to de-regulation used to be the British Rail Staff Associations sports and social clubs. There are currently 43 clubs in the Eastern region and these clubs were represented by more than 80 delegates. Each year they hold a charity raffle and this year their chosen charity was Scarborough Lifeboat Station. During the evening raffle tickets were sold and the raffle drawn, many prizes were returned to be subsequently auctioned to raise more money. When all had been counted a cheque was handed over by David Browett (Chairman) and Terry Stevens (General Secretary) to John Porter who had attended representing Scarborough Lifeboat Station. John thanked the group for their fantastic and most generous support he said that it was incredible that such a large amount had been raised and that the money would be put to good use helping us to save lives at sea.
	Gilbert Gray QC and Scarborough RNLI Lifeboat Station. Gilbert Gray QC was a long-serving, dedicated and enthusiastic supporter of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and will be greatly missed by all connected with the charity – especially by volunteers at some of the RNLI’s Yorkshire lifeboat stations, where he was always a welcome visitor and here in Scarborough where he was our station’s President. Gilbert was invited to become President of Scarborough lifeboat station branch, a position he held until his death giving almost 50 years of unstinting service. to Scarborough. During this long and happy association he was regularly around providing his special touch to the events including many lifeboat naming ceremonies. His last event was the recent naming of our current inshore lifeboat John Wesley Hillard III. Further and deeper involvement with the RNLI ensued and in 1983 he joined the RNLI Council and served for 20 years before becoming an RNLI Vice-President.. Colin Lawson, Scarborough RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said Mr Gray was ‘irreplaceable’. He added: ‘I’ve known Gilbert for more years than I can remember and he really was one of a kind. He’s been a father figure to me and to many others at the lifeboat station, as well as a great friend to all of us. He was an amazing character; a wonderful orator who could deliver humorous but moving speeches and was always in demand to speak at lifeboat naming ceremonies and other special RNLI occasions. ‘We were all very sad to hear of his death. Gilbert will be remembered by all who knew him as a wonderful chap, a true friend and a proud Yorkshireman who was great company and a true ambassador for the RNLI.’ Mike Vlasto OBE Operations Director RNLI commenting said, “Gilbert Gray was a great supporter of the RNLI for many years with a particular focus on the North East stations and Scarborough Lifeboat Station in particular. His interest in and support of local RNLI initiatives was greatly appreciated and often made quite a difference. Not a man to follow as a speaker at the annual crew dinner - his oratory was always humorous, to the point and effective. He will be sadly missed” No doubt many people will have their own way of remembering Gilbert but the words “A true ambassador, supporter, friend and Yorkshireman” for Scarborough lifeboat station fit the bill
The Ancient Order of Foresters High Chief Ranger Mike Grealy has chosen the RNLI as his charity for his year in office and they have so far raised over £26,000.00 which is to be used for crew training. At a conference which was held in Scarborough recently an invitation was extended to the RNLI for a representative to give them a presentation. John Porter from the RNLI gave the presentation in which he showed pictures of lifeboats which had been funded by the Foresters, video clips of the comprehensive training that the volunteer crews undergo and finally a thank you to the Foresters for their continuing generous support. An invitation was given to visit Scarborough Lifeboat Station on the Sunday afternoon, this invitation was accepted and a group of Foresters including the High Chief Ranger visited and enjoyed a tour of the station.
	Brian and Rosemarie Raines of Malton visited Scarborough Lifeboat Station recently to present a cheque for £375 in celebration of their Golden Wedding Anniversary. They also handed over a cheque for £25 which one of their friends had donated. The cheques were accepted on behalf of Scarborough Lifeboat Station by Colin Lawson who is the Operations Manager. Colin said “ This is a most generous donation which I am delighted to accept. All of us here at Scarborough Lifeboat Station wish you good health and many more happy years to come and thank you once again for your generosity.
Our Station Lifeboat Fanny Victoria Wilkinson & Frank Stubbs is currently away from the station having a service. Whilst she is away our relief lifeboat is "Fishermans Friend". This Lifeboat was purchased through the efforts of Mrs Doreen Lofthouse of Fleetwood who owns the factory which makes Fishermans Friend sweets. You will notice that the hull below the waterline is painted red. This is an anti foul coating to preserve the boat as whilst ours when not at sea is housed in a boathouse this boat will often have to lie afloat and this coating prevents damage to the hull.