A class of its own John Long recently retired as second coxswain of the Barrow lifeboat. In order to relieve his withdrawal symptoms, the crew built him his own 'lifeboat' as a retirement present.

John discovered that his one-man 'solong class' lifeboat is a great fundraiser - at the recent station gala a large sum of money was raised from taking pictures of children sitting in the boat and the branch now intend taking it to presentations at local schools..