Ireland’s leading maritime newspaper covering the Coastal, Fishing and Maritime Communities

MARINE TIMES NEWS June 10th:
Arklow RNLI host special visitor in advance of 200th anniversary and lifeboat naming ceremony

Volunteers at Arklow RNLI and their invited guests, recently hosted a special visit to the lifeboat station from Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Vice President of the lifesaving charity and former Deputy Chair. The visit was arranged in advance of the station’s naming ceremony for their new Shannon class lifeboat, which is due to be held on the 21st of June and their 200th anniversary, which will be celebrated next year. Arklow RNLI is the oldest established RNLI lifeboat station on the island of Ireland.

Sir Tim Laurence is no stranger to Ireland, having served as a Chair of the RNLI’s Operations Committee which saw him visit a number of Irish lifeboat stations during his tenure. However, this was his first time visiting Arklow lifeboat station and he received a warm welcome from all present.

Arklow RNLI Crew and Family from l-r: Seamus Cramer, Aine, Cillian & Craig O'Reilly, Eddie McElheron, Tommy Nolan, Manager John Bermingham, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Cassie Connaughton, Liz Bermingham, John V Tyrrell, Joy Crosbie, Pat Kennedy, Paul Burke, Jimmy Tyrrell, Roger Tyrrell

Arklow RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager John Bermingham introduced Sir Tim Laurence to the assembled lifeboat crew, station management, fundraisers, and their families. Invited guests included Arklow Harbour Master Captain Paul Ivory, Cllr. Pat Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of the Arklow Municipal District and Arklow Sailing Club Commodore Seamus Cramer.

Coxswain Eddie McElheron and Mechanic Craig O’Reilly gave Sir Tim Laurence a tour of the new €3.1m Shannon class lifeboat and there was also a visit to the Boathouse and Shop. The visit concluded with a stop at the town’s maritime museum, which recently hosted a RNLI 200 exhibition. Former Lifeboat Operations Manager, Jimmy Tyrrell and Coxswain Brendan Dillon were on hand for a tour and some station history. Jimmy was responsible for the RNLI naming the Shannon class after an Irish river, in recognition of the service of Irish volunteers to the charity over two centuries, a fact that was shared with their visitor.

Commenting on the special visit, Arklow Lifeboat Operations Manager John Bermingham said, ‘We were delighted to host Sir Tim Laurence for a special visit to our station. Arklow is a lifeboat station that is steeped in RNLI history and the town has a hugely important maritime background. We are very proud to be the first RNLI lifeboat station on the island of Ireland and to be naming our new Shannon class lifeboat soon, following its arrival last October. It was Sir Tim’s first time visiting the station and we hope to welcome him again in the future.’