Rhyl RNLI's state of the art Shannon class vessel is finally in the water

To mark the first time Rhyl’s new Shannon Class entered the water, Joan Webb from Basingstoke – who has supported the charity since she was five - gave the customary 'ringing the eight bells’ signal to mark the momentous occasion.

The traditional method of ringing the eight bells come from maritime history, and signals the end of the one watch in a ship, and the start of a new watch and is also used when a new lifeboat replaces another lifeboat in the service.

Coxswain Martin Jones of Rhyl RNLI station said: “I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck tingling as the boat was lowered into the sea for the first time. It was a fantastic sight, and we feel privileged to be here to see the ceremony.”

The money raised to build the new boat was the result of two major legacies and smaller donations, including over £150 thousand by the Rhyl station with an appeal over ten months.

The event occurred at the RNLI's All-weather Lifeboat centre in Poole on 2nd July at 12 noon, and welcomed the first modern all-weather lifeboat to be propelled by waterjets instead of traditional propellers to replace the crew’s existing Mersey-class lifeboat which has served Rhyl station for over 27 years.

Also in attendance, new RNLI chief executive office Mark Dowie opened the proceedings and welcomed Mrs Webb as well as the supporters and volunteer crew from Rhyl.

The money raised to build the new boat was the result of two major legacies and smaller donations, including over £150 thousand by the Rhyl station with an appeal over ten months.

Mr Jones added: “' The volunteer crew at Rhyl have been training hard and preparing for the boat's arrival at Rhyl on Sunday, October 13. We now have a few months of intensive training both at Poole and at home, to ready ourselves for the boat's arrival.”