New lifeboat to be named in honour of Neil Crowe 

The Atlantic 85 will replace Muriel and Leslie, as she reaches the end of her operational life

Port Erin Royal National Lifeboat Institute has welcomed a new lifeboat to the station. 

The Atlantic 85 will replace the current one, Muriel and Leslie, as she reaches the end of her operational life. 

It will be named after Neil Crowe, a former member of the Isle of Man Yacht Club who was also involved with the Gough Ritchie Charitable Trust, which funded five RNLI vessels across the Island. 

A naming ceremony will take place at Port Erin Breakwater on Saturday 12 July, which coincides with Port Erin Beach Festival. 

Speaking on the arrival of the new lifeboat, Lewis Ridgeway, Port Erin RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, says: "We are extremely grateful to the Trustees of the Gough Ritchie Trust for this generous donation. 

"The volunteer crew will greatly miss B-813 Muriel and Leslie, which they have lovingly maintained for 19 years, launching her on service 107 times to date during her years at Port Erin. During that time period, Muriel and Leslie has come to the aid of 86 people, and a total of four lives have been saved. 

"However, the crew are excited to welcome their new Atlantic 85 lifeboat, and can’t wait to start a new chapter of saving lives at sea with the B-951 Neil Crowe."