Not a dry eye in the boathouse

Lifeboats mean a lot to our volunteers. In this issue we join the emotional Wicklow crew, saying farewell to the last Tyne class lifeboat in the fleet (page 18). It’s time for the much-loved Tyne to make way for our faster 25-knot lifeboats, but not without a good send off. Some of you will remember the Fastnet Disaster of 1979, where crews of 13 lifeboats joined thousands of other rescuers braving hurricane force winds to save others (page 24). We bring you into the present day in the rescue section, with a young woman drifting out to sea in a toy inflatable and a man in his 70s who was thrown into icy waters. Hold your loved ones close as you read how the RNLI’s drowning prevention work saved the life of one family man. This is my first issue of Lifeboat magazine as editor. In my 17 years at the RNLI I’ve loved interviewing lifesavers. I want to celebrate them in Lifeboat. This is your magazine – please send me your feedback and ideas for articles. I also want to thank you for keeping our charity afloat. Every single rescue, every new lifeboat, every life saved is down to your support. Thank you very much and enjoy your magazine! 

Bethany Hope
Email: [email protected]
Tweet: @bethanyrhope