'Legacy lifeboat' to join RNLI relief fleet

The nephew of a couple whose multimillion-pound legacy paid for a new Norfolk lifeboat said he was "very pleased" it was finally joining active service as a relief vessel.

The George and Frances Phelon arrived at the RNLI's Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat station last September, where it had a homecoming ceremony, but it has yet to be used for lifesaving as it does not have a permanent mooring.

Simon Lush, Mr and Mrs Phelon's relative, spoke of his frustration it had not been in service two-and-a-half years after its first unveiling in Dorset, but added "we need to move forward now".

The RNLI said the boat would "play an important role in saving lives".

The £2.5m vessel was named after Bradford couple Mr and Mrs Phelon after they left £3m to the lifeboat charity.

An official naming ceremony took place in Poole, Dorset, in April 2022.

The boat was stored at the RNLI's headquarters for 18 months before being delivered to Great Yarmouth, where it was used for training.

But after nine months with no suitable moorings, she was taken to Lowestoft for storage.

Negotiations were continuing to find a permanent berth for the boat, the RNLI said.

Mr Lush said he was "very pleased that after this length of time she is going to join the active service".

Speaking about how long it has taken, Mr Lush said: "They were very pragmatic people. He [Mr Phelon] was an engineer, he did things and they were done.

"I think he would be a little bit irritated... these things are sent to try us and I'm pleased we are actually taking steps forward."

He said he felt for the crew and staff "who were promised this boat", but added "we need to move forward now".

The RNLI said the boat was "going to be used in the relief fleet where she is much needed, so that other lifeboats of the same type can undergo essential repairs and maintenance".

It added: "The George and Frances Phelon will play an important role in saving lives at sea throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland and allow volunteers in our coastal communities to maintain their availability to respond to emergency calls when needed."

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