New addition to Happisburgh RNLI welcomed by lifeboat crew

Howard Bell arrives at Happisburgh RNLI. Picture: HAPPISBURGH RNLI. (Image: Archant)

The crew at Happisburgh RNLI have been working hard to get up to speed with the operation of the Atlantic 85.

Tim Grimmer, senior helm, said: 'The crew have got used to the new boat and think it's great and will allow them to, hopefully, save more lives at sea.

'It will also help to train our six new crew members.'

The Atlantic 85 number B-899 has been named Howard Bell, the main benefactor of the boat, and it arrived at Happisburgh on May 8 (Monday) after travelling from Cowes, in the Isle of Wight, where it was built.

On the first day of its arrival the crew familiarised themselves with the boat's lay-out and equipment, then the following day took the boat to sea with an RNLI inspector on board to train the helm and crew, along with shore crew, on the safe operation of the boat and equipment. The boat was launched on May 9 and 10 and recovered three times each day.

Finally, on May 11, it launched five times so all five helms could be assessed, and once that was completed it was fully equipped and placed on service at 8:30pm.

There have been three Atlantic 75 lifeboats at Happisburgh since the first arrived in 2009. Now the arrival of the new Atlantic 85 model means the boat will enable crews to carry out rescues at sea more effectively.

Joan Mary, the current Atlantic 75, will go into the relief fleet once it leaves Happisburgh. And Howard Bell will be officially named later in the year once Happisburgh RNLI has received its new D class boat in August.

Happisburgh RNLI is always looking for volunteers. If you are aged 17 or over, physically fit, work or live within 10 minutes of the station and are eager to join the organisation then visit the station. Volunteers meet every Sunday at 9am and Tuesday at 7pm for weekly training exercises.

Happisburgh Lifeboat Open Day 2017 will take place on Sunday August 6, 12am to 4pm.