31-01-2025
Cornwall lifeboat retires after 23 year of service
A lifeboat which is "retiring" after 23 years of service was launched more than 500 times, saved 12 lives and helped hundreds more, the RNLI Falmouth-based Richard Cox Scott was sent off in style from the town for the last time on was named by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 during her Golden Jubilee celebrations and was called out within 24 hours after she came into lifeboat operations manager Nick Lewis said it was emotional to see her go and added that the boat had "served the town immensely well over the last 23 years".
She was launched 537 times, saved 12 lives and helped 718 other people in distress over her 23 years of service. In 2005 the lifeboat was involved in the rescue of eight people from the cargo vessel Galina which lost power in storm force conditions five miles south east of Dodman Point.
Ovaltine drink
The lifeboat was given as a bequest from Ruth Marygold Dix Scott and was named after her late husband who was a banker. Mrs Scott worked for a time as a commercial artist and designed the Ovaltine drink couple had retired to Cornwall in the Scott swam and canoed on the Helford River and asked for the lifeboat to be stationed near her Mawnan Smith home.
Deputy second coxswain David Nicholl said: "We didn't know that she was leaving the money to us."That money has really been used to benefit the community."He said crews had an affinity with the lifeboat."You trust the boat - it's the boat that takes you to sea in all weather conditions."You have quite a close bond to it."
'End of an era'
The Richard Cox Scott was sent off in style on Friday. Lifeboats from Fowey, Lizard and Penlee and dock tugs, pilot boats and passenger ferries wished her farewell at Pendennis Point. Mr Nicholls said: "It's nice that she is being taken back up to Poole to retire."Hopefully she may develop another life after that. For us it's the end of an era and we move on."The Richard Cox Scott has been replaced by a temporary lifeboat from the relief fleet and the station's own Shannon lifeboat will arrive later this year.
