New RNLI lifeboat for Tynemouth

Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat station has taken delivery of a new inshore lifeboat, donated to the charity in memory of the brother of the donor.

The £29,000 lifeboat is named "Mark Noble" in memory of a Tyneside man. It is an updated version of the lifeboat station’s existing D class - one of the workhorses of the RNLI fleet - and is known as the Inshore Boat 1 (IB1). It has improved speed and manoeuvrability, with a top speed of 25 knots.

The donor, who wishes to remain private, donated the funds to pay for the lifeboat in memory of her brother Mark. Linda Porter, Legal Representative of the Donor, from the firm of John Donkin & Co. Solicitors, Gateshead, said that the Donor was pleased that her brother Mark will be remembered by a lifeboat that will be used to help people who get into difficulties off the coast at Tynemouth, and that “It had always been Mark’s wish to contribute to the good work performed by the RNLI and other lifeboat institutions”.

Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat operations manager, David Stenhouse, said: ‘Everyone at Tynemouth lifeboat station is delighted and privileged to receive this new lifeboat, which will enable us to carry out rescues faster and more effectively than ever before.

‘We are all extremely grateful to our generous donor. The RNLI relies entirely on donations and legacies for our income and without people like them we would be unable to carry on saving lives at sea.’

The new lifeboat replaces Tynemouth’ existing D class lifeboat, Cromer Smuggler, which has operated at the lifeboat station since 1998 and is now coming to the end of its operational life. While at Tynemouth, the lifeboat launched 242 times on service, rescuing 172 people. "Mark Noble" will operate alongside Tynemouth’s Severn class all weather lifeboat, "Spirit of Northumberland".