Farewell to RNLI favourite

Vessel has served Island for 29 years

It’s a special day for those connected with the Douglas RNLI all-weather lifeboat.

The Sir William Hillary will be launched from the slipway for the final time at 11am.

The Tyne-class vessel has been in action since November 1988, and is one of just two still in service with the RNLI. 

But it’s not quite the end of the story.

The replacement Mersey-class lifeboat, Shannon, is scheduled to arrive once its berthing facility has been constructed, so Sir William Hillary will be based in Douglas harbour's liner berth for a little while longer.

Fittingly, at 3pm, St George’s Church in Douglas will host the annual RNLI commemorative service in memory of founder Sir William Hillary.