A new lifeboat named in honour of the late Prince Philip has taken to the water for the first time.
The Shannon-class 13-46 Duke of Edinburgh was launched last week from the All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole and will undergo extensive testing and trials before it officially joins the fleet of lifeboats with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution at the Wells Lifeboat Station this autumn.
In a statement on the RNLI Wells Lifeboat website, the Institution’s Chief Executive, Mark Dowie, said: “We are delighted to honour Prince Philip’s longstanding commitment to maritime services and lifetime of support to Her Majesty The Queen, who has been our Patron since 1952.
“Building lifeboats and lifesaving equipment is something we do every day, but each lifeboat marks a very meaningful moment in history. For crews, they are welcoming a new boat which will help our lifesavers work towards saving every one. For RNLI supporters, they will know this lifeboat is launching in memory of so many loved ones every time she receives the call for help.”
Chris Hardy, the Wells Lifeboat Station Lifesaving Operations Manager, added: “The Shannon will help take us forward in all weathers. The crew are eagerly awaiting her arrival and can’t wait to make the boat fully operational on station.
“The station is immensely proud and honoured to have its new Shannon class lifeboat named Duke of Edinburgh. We are in no doubt that our new lifeboat will continue the vital work of saving lives at sea, which we know His Royal Highness was so passionate about throughout his lifelong maritime association.”
The RNLI remarked that the names of 15,000 people are also on the lifeboat as part of the RNLI’s Launch a Memory fundraising campaign.
Prince Philip had a long involvement with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, having served on its council beginning in 1972; The Queen has been patron of the organisation since 1952.
