#marystanford – Sir, With regard to your news item on Summer edition of Afloat magazine, I have to take issue with your news article stating that the former Donaghadee lifeboat is Ireland's most famous.
The former Ballycotton boat – Mary Stanford would surely qualify for that title.
The Mary Stanford was stationed in Ballycotton from 1930 to 1959 during which time she was launched on 83 occasions and saved 101 lives.
She was a reserve lifeboat from 1960 to 1968 and saved 24 lives during that period. When purchased by Limerick harbour commissioners in 1959 and used as a pilot boat on the Shannon, her rescues continued as she was involved in a further 8 during that time.
The rescue for which she would be most famous was in 1936 when the crew of the Daunt Rock Lightship were saved after a rescue which lasted 63 hours. The coxswain was awarded a gold medal for this service and all the crew also received medals. The local station was awarded a Gold medal for this rescue which I believe is unique in the annals of the RNLI.
The Mary Stanford is currently in the process of being restored back in her home base of Ballycotton, this is a costly process so if there are any more Bear Grylls's out there we would be delighted to hear from them.
I wish the best of luck to the Donaghadee committee with their endeavours. The record of old boat restoration in this country is abysmal.
Yours etc
Brendan Sliney
