Fowey RNLI to Retire Trent Lifeboat After 30 Years of Service

Iconic Trent Lifeboat to Depart on 1st August

Fowey RNLI lifeboat station will bid an emotional farewell to its all-weather Trent class lifeboat, Maurice and Joyce Hardy 14-18, on Friday 1st August, after nearly three decades of dedicated service.

The much-loved vessel will leave Fowey Harbour for the final time at 2.30pm, with long-serving Coxswain Jonathan Pritchard at the helm. A striking flotilla of lifeboats, harbour and trip boats, ex-lifeboats, gigs, safety boats and private vessels will accompany her on her departure. Members of the public are encouraged to join the procession or watch from several key vantage points.

Public Farewell Tours and Ceremony Details

Before her departure, the Trent lifeboat will be open for free public tours on the lifeboat pontoon from 11am to 1pm on 1st August. This will be the last opportunity to look around the vessel in Fowey.

A farewell ceremony will then take place at Berrills Yard and the lifeboat pontoon. Former coxswains and others who have been involved with the station will join the current crew on board for the send-off. At 2.15pm, Coxswain Jonathan Pritchard will deliver a short speech, which will be broadcast to those gathered onshore.

📷Fowey's all-weather Trent lifeboat leaving her pontoon on a shout - Credit: Fowey RNLI

Jonathan Pritchard Reflects on the End of an Era

Jonathan Pritchard, who was part of the crew that welcomed the Trent lifeboat to Fowey in 1996, said:

“As an RNLI crew member and coxswain of almost 40 years, I was part of the crew who welcomed the Trent to Fowey in 1996 and have served on her for nearly 30 years. It will be very sad to see her go and it is sure to be an emotional day as the station and the people of Fowey say goodbye to a much loved and iconic part of the Fowey community. Whilst we will all be very sorry to see her go, I’m looking forward to leading Fowey into its next chapter with her replacement Atlantic 85 lifeboat. As a crew and a station we are positive about the change and I would like to thank those that continue to support us as we will continue to support our community.”

Three Decades of Life-Saving Service

Since arriving in Fowey on 25th September 1996, Maurice and Joyce Hardy has launched on 314 shouts, aided 462 people, spent 591 hours at sea, and saved 22 lives. She was officially named on 4th October 1997 alongside Fowey’s then-new inshore lifeboat and a newly opened RNLI shop.

Final Week of Guided Tours

As part of the farewell, the volunteer visits team at Fowey RNLI is offering free guided tours of the Trent class lifeboat each day from Monday 21st July until Sunday 27th July, when the boat will go off-service. Tours are subject to operational availability.

Where to Watch the Flotilla

The sail-past procession on 1st August will be a visual spectacle, starting at 2.30pm and travelling as far as the D sailing race mark. Boat owners are invited to join the flotilla.

Recommended viewing points include:

• Albert Quay

• Fowey Town Quay

• Esplanade

• Readymoney Beach

• St Catherine’s Castle

• Alldays Fields

There will also be live music and refreshments available throughout the day.

Lifeboat Day to Follow on 2nd August

Fowey will host its annual Lifeboat Day on Saturday 2nd August, with music, refreshments, and activities at the lifeboat station. The new relief Atlantic lifeboat will be on display in the harbour and on the pontoon for public viewing.

📍 Plan your visit and don’t miss the chance to witness a proud piece of Fowey’s lifeboat history set off on her final journey.

📷Fowey's all-weather Trent lifeboat on her pontoon at night - Credit: Fowey RNLI