On Saturday 30 August Deputy Lieutenant Charlie Coull attended the Naming Ceremony and Service of dedication for the new Troon Lifeboat the Roy Barker VI on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant. Charlie is a Launch Authority and crew member at Troon Lifeboat Station.

 

The new Shannon class lifeboat has been largely funded from the legacy of Mr Frederick Roy Barker, who was known as Roy, who left his entire estate to the RNLI, with the request that the income received from the fund be known as the Roy Barker Memorial Fund. Income from the fund has already funded three Trent class lifeboats at Alderney in the Channel Islands, Wick in Scotland, and Howth in the Republic of Ireland, a Tamar class lifeboat at The Mumbles in Wales and a Shannon at New Quay in Wales. Roy admired the dedication, skill and bravery of the volunteer crews and, indeed, their families who support them.

 

The kind legacy of Mr Alan Lionel Aspinall also contributed towards the completion of this new lifeboat. Mr Aspinall had a deep love and interest in boats and ships of all types and recognised the vital role that lifeboats provide to the seafaring communities.

 

The Shannon class is designed to operate in the worst of sea conditions. She is a self-righting lifeboat, so she will automatically turn the right way up in the event of a capsize. With a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 250 nautical miles, this lifeboat is ideal for offshore searches and rescues in calm or rough seas. Her power means she can tow large vessels out of danger – and waterjet technology allows her to manoeuvre in shallow waters or be intentionally beached in an emergency.