Boost for lifeboat after donation

Many lives are saved by the volunteer crew members

The RNLI's battle to save lives at sea has been given a huge boost thanks to a legacy left by a County Down woman.

A donation by the late Eileen Freeman of Donaghadee enabled it to buy a £120,000 state-of-the-art lifeboat.

The vessel - named in memory of her mother Jessie Hillyard - was officially launched on Bangor's seafront.

Bangor is the first station in Ireland to get the new design of boat, which is bigger and faster than its predecessor and can be beached in an emergency.

The boat, an Atlantic B805, has been in use by Bangor's volunteer crew members in search and rescue operations since October.

It was officially named by Mrs Freeman's granddaughter, Susan Lawrence, during a ceremony this weekend.

Mrs Freeman was married to the vice-president of the RNLI council, Eric Freeman, and he handed it over to the organisation.

Mervyn Kinney, Bangor Lifeboat Operations Manger said: "This new state-of-the-art lifeboat has many improvements including a faster top speed of 35 knots, radar, provision for a fourth crew member and more room for survivors.

Our lifeboat men and women meet a wide variety of demands and dangers around the coast Terence Johnson RNLI

"It can operate safely in daylight in up to force seven conditions and force six at night."

RNLI deputy chairman Terence Johnson paid tribute to the volunteer crew and fundraisers of Bangor lifeboat station.

He said: "When we recruit a volunteer, they make a major commitment - which could ultimately include risking their life.

"Our lifeboat men and women meet a wide variety of demands and dangers around the coast. Last year, Bangor lifeboat crew rescued 70 people.

"This is made possible by the sheer hard work and ability of our volunteer fundraisers."

North Down Borough Council provided the facility for the first lifeboat in Bangor and then provided a purpose built station in 1984.

It also granted a lease for the new station needed to accommodate the new class of lifeboat.

Bangor lifeboat station was one of the first inshore lifeboat stations established in Ireland with its first launch recorded on 15 May 1965.

At that time, the boathouse was a single car garage at the rear of Tower House and the lifeboat barely fitted into the garage.

The new Atlantic B805 lifeboat replaces the station's Atlantic 21 lifeboat Youth of Ulster.