New inshore rescue boat ready for action
Last updated 19:41, Thursday, 08 May 2008
MARYPORT Inshore Rescue’s new £104,000 boat has arrived in the town.
It was launched on Saturday and is now ready for action when needed.
Maryport people will be invited to see the boat themselves at an open day on Saturday, May 24.
Inshore Rescue chairman George Farish said details about the day will be finalised next week.
“It will be our way to say thank you for the help people have given us,” he said.
An appeal for a new boat was launched at Maryport Carnival last year.
Workington MP Tony Cunningham took on the cause, and energy company E.on, which is building the Robin Rigg wind farm off the coast of Maryport, gave a £50,000 donation and the group was given an interest-free £45,000 loan from an undisclosed source.
Station officer Mike Messenger said it was an all weather search and rescue boat with a 150 nautical mile range.
He said: “This means we could go to the Isle of Man and back several times.”
It has twin 175 hp engines and a top speed of 40 knots.
“It is a top notch boat. You couldn’t get any better,” he added.
Coxswains Paul Quayle, Michael Messenger and Mark Norman, travelled to Liverpool, where the boat was built, for sea trials.
Money is still needed by the inshore rescue which is a voluntary organisations dependent on public money. Donations can be made by post to MIRB, c/o Maryport Navy Club, South Quay, Maryport CA15 8ABA, or by calling at the boat house which is manned every Sunday from 10am to 12noon.
