End of an Era: Fowey RNLI to Retire Lifeboat and Welcome One of the Fastest in the Fleet

Photo: Fowey’s Trent al weather lifeboat April 2024 – Credit: Steve Duncombe

Fowey RNLI is set for a major change this summer as the station prepares to retire its long-serving Trent Class lifeboat, Maurice and Joyce Hardy, and introduce a new, high-speed Atlantic 85 B Class inshore lifeboat.

Farewell to a Lifesaving Legend

After nearly three decades of service, the Maurice and Joyce Hardy will be retired in summer 2025. One of the last operational Trent Class lifeboats in the RNLI fleet, the vessel was first introduced to Fowey in September 1996 and officially named in October 1997. The Trent Class set a new standard for the RNLI when it launched in the 1990s, being the first all-weather lifeboat capable of reaching speeds of 25 knots.

Chris Ogg, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Fowey, acknowledged the lifeboat’s deep connection to the community:

“This is the start of a new era of lifesaving for Fowey RNLI, it is always sad to say goodbye to a lifeboat, especially one that has served our volunteers and the community of Fowey so well for over 30 years. The Maurice and Joyce Hardy is such a familiar sight for locals and visitors to Fowey, but the station and crew are looking forward to the introduction of the Atlantic 85, it’s a new challenge and will ensure the lifeboat station has the most appropriate asset for the types of service it deals with and will secure the future of Fowey Lifeboat Station.”

A Faster, More Agile Lifeboat for Fowey

Replacing the Trent Class, the Atlantic 85 B Class lifeboat is one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet, capable of reaching speeds of 35 knots. Designed and built at the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Centre in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, this rigid inflatable lifeboat (RIB) is known for its speed, manoeuvrability, and ability to operate close to shore, near cliffs and rocks—areas inaccessible to larger all-weather lifeboats.

Tom Mansell, RNLI Lifesaving Operations Lead, explained why the transition to an inshore lifeboat is the right move for Fowey:

“With the Trent reaching the end of its operational life, it is important to look at the longer-term lifesaving operations in Fowey and what is the best configuration of lifeboats for the station.

The sea use around Fowey has changed over the years. It’s a busy and popular port with yachts, small sailing dinghies, motorboats, paddleboarders and kayakers, and swimmers and its incidents involving these types of craft and activities that the volunteer crew at Fowey is called to most often.

The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat is best suited for these types of services and will work alongside Fowey’s D class lifeboat and flanking stations, where a mixture of all-weather lifeboats and inshore lifeboats operate and are well positioned to support Fowey RNLI. This will allow our volunteers to respond to any incident, both inshore and at distance along this stretch of coast.

The charity is committed to investing in the future of Fowey RNLI. The Atlantic 85 is one of the fastest RNLI lifeboats and will take the station into the RNLI’s next century of lifesaving.”

Training for the Next Chapter

Before the new lifeboat arrives, Fowey RNLI will receive a relief Atlantic 85 lifeboat to begin training. Crew members will undergo a training programme, including sessions at the RNLI Lifeboat College in Poole and practical exercises on station in Fowey.

Chris added:

“We are now working with our crew on the roll out of a training programme which will include training at the RNLI lifeboat college in Poole and on station in Fowey.”

A New Era for Fowey RNLI

The transition marks a significant moment for Fowey’s volunteer crew and the local community, bringing one of the RNLI’s fastest and most advanced lifeboats to Cornwall. The Atlantic 85’s introduction ensures that Fowey RNLI is well-equipped to respond swiftly to incidents along this stretch of coast, safeguarding lives at sea for years to come.

Photo: Fowey’s Trent with the whole team of station volunteers August 2024 – Credit: RNLI