In this the 200th year of the RNLI, a piece of RNLI history will be coming to the Southampton Boat show this September.

The former St Peter Port (Guernsey) Lifeboat, Sir William Arnold now privately owned and a floating lifeboat museum will be opening her doors to the public for the duration of the show. At weekends she can be found berthed at Town Quay Marina, and during the weekday opening times of the show, the Sir William can be found in the RNLI stand in the floating village.

This famous lifeboat, the second of the Arun class to be built in 1973 served all her time at the channel Island station of St Peter Port and was involved in some heroic and famous rescues, saving a total of 224 lives and earning her volunteer coxswains & crews 15 medal for gallantry in addition to a whole host of other bravery awards. Probably the most famous rescues was that to the Ecuadorian ship Bonita in December 1981, where in mountainous seas whipped up by a Force 12 hurricane, snow showers and darkness, the  Sir William rescued 29 people from the sinking ship. This rescue remains one of the most famous in the 200 year history of the RNLI and earned the coxswain Mike Scales, the RNLI’s gold medal for gallantry.

The Sir William Arnold retired from active service in 1997 and her future was then unknown. Many later Arun’s went on to continue their life saving careers in other countries, but Lifeboat 52-02 was destined for private use and until September 2019 had also been used again a private lifeboat in Northumberland. Now after a number of extensive restorations, she’s back looking fabulous as she was in service. She proudly led a flotilla of ex lifeboats at the RNLI’s 200 anniversary celebrations in Poole.

Visitors will be allowed access to all areas of this fine lifeboat; many say was the finest boat the RNLI ever built. Her exemplary lifesaving record is testament to that. Now 51 years old, the Sir William Arnold is a registered National Historic ship and one of only 15 lifeboats in the historic fleet, a much deserved accolade.

More details can be found at www.lifeboat5202.com

There is small admission charge to cover her restoration costs and donations are also welcome to the RNLI.

 

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