Last Operational Mersey Lifeboat Leaves Newcastle RNLI

11th January 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Newcastle RNLI’s Leonard Kent Mersey class lifeboat on final launch with support flotilla at sea Credit: Colin King

Newcastle RNLI has said goodbye to the final operational Mersey class lifeboat in the RNLI fleet. At 12.20 pm today (11 January), the Leonard Kent left the station for the last time, matching the number on its hull. Crowds gathered to watch the historic launch.

The lifeboat used the station’s unique falls launching system, in use since the late 18th century. The Mersey could also launch from a slipway or lie afloat. Volunteers from Kilkeel RNLI brought both their Shannon class and Atlantic 85 class lifeboats to form a flotilla following the Leonard Kent.

Newcastle’s own Atlantic 85 and D class lifeboats were also launched. Crews and supporters from Clogherhead, Kilkeel, Donaghadee, Larne and Portrush watched from sea and shore.

The Leonard Kent Mersey class lifeboat powers through heavy seas on its final launch from Newcastle RNLI, ending over 30 years of lifesaving service. Photo: Colin King

Newcastle has operated a Mersey-class lifeboat since 1993. Volunteers past and present marked the end of more than three decades of service.The Mersey class, named after the River Mersey, joined the RNLI fleet in 1988. It reached a top speed of 17 knots and was the last all-weather lifeboat without a 25-knot speed.

Across the UK and Ireland, Mersey lifeboats were stationed at 52 ports. They launched over 11,800 times and assisted 13,784 people, saving 1,254 lives.

With the Mersey retired, all RNLI all-weather lifeboats can now reach at least 25 knots for faster response.Newcastle RNLI has also added two new inshore lifeboats, an Atlantic 85 and a D class, recently entering service after dedicated training by crews.

Declan Barry, Newcastle RNLI Coxswain on the final launch, said it was “a sad and emotional day” but added the Mersey “served us well”. He thanked funders, volunteers and supporters, and said the station looks forward to using its newer lifeboats to help those in difficulty.

Newcastle RNLI volunteers gather for a final team photo with the Leonard Kent, marking the end of the station’s Mersey class era. Photo: Colin King

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Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) in Ireland Information

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity to save lives at sea in the waters of UK and Ireland. Funded principally by legacies and donations, the RNLI operates a fleet of lifeboats, crewed by volunteers, based at a range of coastal and inland waters stations. Working closely with UK and Ireland Coastguards, RNLI crews are available to launch at short notice to assist people and vessels in difficulties.

RNLI was founded in 1824 and is based in Poole, Dorset. The organisation raised €210m in funds in 2019, spending €200m on lifesaving activities and water safety education. RNLI also provides a beach lifeguard service in the UK and has recently developed an International drowning prevention strategy, partnering with other organisations and governments to make drowning prevention a global priority.

Famous Irish Lifeboat Rescues

Irish Lifeboats have participated in many rescues, perhaps the most famous of which was the rescue of the crew of the Daunt Rock lightship off Cork Harbour by the Ballycotton lifeboat in 1936. Spending almost 50 hours at sea, the lifeboat stood by the drifting lightship until the proximity to the Daunt Rock forced the coxswain to get alongside and successfully rescue the lightship's crew.

32 Irish lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions, including the 15 crew of the Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) lifeboat which capsized while attempting to rescue the crew of the SS Palme on Christmas Eve 1895.

FAQs

Which is Ireland's busiest lifeboat station?

While the number of callouts to lifeboat stations varies from year to year, Howth Lifeboat station has aggregated more 'shouts' in recent years than other stations, averaging just over 60 a year.

Do the RNLI get paid?

Stations with an offshore lifeboat have a full-time mechanic, while some have a full-time coxswain. However, most lifeboat crews are volunteers.

How many RNLI Lifeboat stations in Ireland?

There are 46 lifeboat stations on the island of Ireland

How many lifeboat crew have been lost in rescue missions?

How many people are rescued by the RNLI?

In 2019, 8,941 lifeboat launches saved 342 lives across the RNLI fleet.

What type of boats does the RNLI have?

The Irish fleet is a mixture of inshore and all-weather (offshore) craft. The offshore lifeboats, which range from 17m to 12m in length are either moored afloat, launched down a slipway or are towed into the sea on a trailer and launched. The inshore boats are either rigid or non-rigid inflatables.

How are lifeboats called out?

The Irish Coast Guard in the Republic of Ireland or the UK Coastguard in Northern Ireland task lifeboats when an emergency call is received, through any of the recognised systems. These include 999/112 phone calls, Mayday/PanPan calls on VHF, a signal from an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or distress signals.

What is the relationship between the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI in Ireland?

The Irish Coast Guard is the government agency responsible for the response to, and co-ordination of, maritime accidents which require search and rescue operations. To carry out their task the Coast Guard calls on their own resources – Coast Guard units manned by volunteers and contracted helicopters, as well as "declared resources" - RNLI lifeboats and crews. While lifeboats conduct the operation, the coordination is provided by the Coast Guard.

What is a coxswain?

A lifeboat coxswain (pronounced cox'n) is the skipper or master of the lifeboat.

What training do RNLI lifeboat crews get?

RNLI Lifeboat crews are required to follow a particular development plan that covers a pre-agreed range of skills necessary to complete particular tasks. These skills and tasks form part of the competence-based training that is delivered both locally and at the RNLI's Lifeboat College in Poole, Dorset

How can one support the RNLI?

While the RNLI is dependent on donations and legacies for funding, they also need volunteer crew and fund-raisers.

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