Barry Dock RNLI gets new lifeboat thanks to Ferrari donation

Barry Dock RNLI will get a new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat.

The new Shannon class lifeboat will be primarily funded thanks to a generous legacy by the late Mr Richard Colton, who left an extraordinary gift to the RNLI in his Will – two classic Ferrari cars.

With the ability to reach speeds of 25 knots, the Shannon class is the most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat in the RNLI fleet.

It’s also the first modern all-weather lifeboat propelled by waterjets instead of propellers.

Barry will be getting a new lifeboat like the Hastings RNLI Shannon class (Image: RNLI/Jo Whitaker)

The two rare Ferraris used to raise the funds for the new lifeboat were sold at auction in 2015 for a total of £8.5M.

Barry Dock’s new all-weather lifeboat will be the second Shannon class lifeboat funded by Mr Colton’s generous legacy, and will be named Richard and Caroline Colton II.

The legacy has already funded a Shannon class lifeboat and the Launch and Recovery System at Hastings RNLI in East Sussex, and has contributed towards new boathouses at both Pwllheli and Tower Lifeboat Stations.

Volunteers in Barry received the exciting news on Thursday, November 2.

The station’s new Shannon class lifeboat is currently being built at the RNLI’s All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset, and is expected to arrive in Barry Dock in Spring 2024.

The Shannon class lifeboat will replace the station’s current Trent class all-weather lifeboat Inner Wheel II, which has been saving lives in the Bristol Channel since 2006.

Barry Dock RNLI’s Shannon class lifeboat being built at the RNLI’s All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset (Image: RNLI)

The lifeboat will be primary funded thanks to a generous legacy by the late Mr Richard Colton, who left to the RNLI two classic Ferraris (Image: RNLI)

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Andy Gavan, Coxswain at Barry Dock Lifeboat Station said: “On behalf of all at Barry Dock RNLI, I would like to thank the family of Mr Richard Colton for the extraordinary legacy that was left to the RNLI which will fund our new Shannon class lifeboat.

“This is a very exciting time for all the volunteer team at Barry Dock Lifeboat Station; we’ve recently moved into a new building and are now looking forward to 2024 – the RNLI’s bicentenary year – when we will welcome a new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat to Barry Dock.

“Welcoming a new lifeboat will be a new chapter in Barry Dock RNLI’s longstanding history, but with this brings even more training commitments and dedication for the crew.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers, their families, and employers for their continued support over what will be a busy – but exciting – few months.”