A new Atlantic 85 class lifeboat has entered service at Lough Swilly RNLI in County Donegal.
The vessel arrived at Buncrana lifeboat station on Wednesday evening (8 April), replacing the Minnie and Ernest George Barry, which has served the Inishowen peninsula since 2007.
Volunteer crew carried out familiarisation training shortly after arrival, completing their first exercise on the new boat, named Davdot.
As Afloat reported earlier, following the recent departure of all weather boat coxswain George O’Hagan after 36 years of service at Lough Swilly RNLI, his yellow wellies have now been filled by Eamonn Mahon.
The lifeboat has been funded by English donors Dorothy and David Robinson from Surrey. The couple have supported RNLI operations since 2003, including recent shore works at Wandsworth Riverside Lifeboat Station in London.
Dorothy Robinson said her support was inspired by family connections. “My father was a lieutenant commander serving on the destroyer Indefatigable during World War Two,” she said. “My mother helped collect donations for the RNLI on Scarborough seafront. We admire the dedication of all staff and volunteers.”
The Davdot has been officially declared a search and rescue asset by the Irish Coast Guard. A formal naming ceremony and service of dedication will take place at a later date.
The outgoing lifeboat launched 265 times over nearly 19 years, rescuing 233 people, with five lives saved.
The Atlantic 85 is among the fastest lifeboats in the RNLI fleet, capable of speeds up to 35 knots. It carries four crew and is powered by twin 115hp engines.
Onboard systems include radar, VHF direction-finding equipment, electronic navigation aids and night-vision capability, enabling operations in poor visibility.
The design also features a manual self-righting mechanism and inversion-proofed engines, allowing continued operation after capsize. The vessel can be safely beached in emergencies without damage.
Lough Swilly RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Joe Joyce paid tribute to both boats. “We are extremely grateful to Dorothy and David for their generous donation,” he said.
“As we welcome a new lifeboat, there is also a sense of nostalgia as we bid farewell to the Minnie and Ernest George Barry, which gave nearly two decades of reliable service.”
He added: “We look forward to this new chapter and to being custodians of the Davdot, enabling our volunteers to save more lives in the years ahead.”
