Douglas lifeboat to make final launch in New Year

Wed, 20 Dec 2017

Launch of Douglas RNLI lifeboat Sir William Hillary (photo by RNLI/Michael Howland)

Douglas RNLI's current lifeboat will make its last launch in the New Year ahead of the arrival of a new vessel.

The Sir William Hillary is 29 year old and is one of just two Tyne class lifeboats still in service.

Douglas is due to receive a Shannon class lifeboat once a new berthing facility has been constructed, but will receive a Mersey class vessel for interim use.

Sir William Hillary will make its last slipway launch at 11am on Sunday January 7th before modifications are made to the slipway for the Mersey class lifeboat.

The current lifeboat will be based at the Douglas harbour liner berth while the works are undertaken before being retired.