31-07-2025
Wicklow lifeboat that saved 61 lives finds new lease of life
With the recent arrival of Arklow's state-of-the-art, all–weather Shannon class lifeboat, The Roy Holloway, the RNLB Ger Tigchelaar lifeboat left the harbour for the last time, calling time on a long service that saw voluntary crew aid 606 people over 340 launches on the trusty Trent class vessel.
Unlikely to end up in the hands of a private collector, because of the massive costs of operating the fuel-guzzling boat, Ger Tigchelaar seemed destined as a backup in the 'relief fleet' for RNLI stations with Trent class boats, but will now most likely finish her career as the Holyhead lifeboat.
As Arklow RNLI Lifeboat DLA Michael Fitzgerald explained, the Holyhead Station's original boat was a Severn Class, which was withdrawn at short notice, before being replaced with a relief Trent, which is a totally different class, and was originally the Courtmacsherry lifeboat.
'When the Holyhead crew saw the condition of the Arklow boat in the repair yard, they were very impressed with her,' he said.
'Given the fact that they currently have an older relief Trent lifeboat, they put a request to headquarters in Poole asking if the Ger Tigchelaar could become their station boat until their future allocation is announced and on station.
'The request was granted, and Holyhead Lifeboat will now replace Arklow Lifeboat on her stern.'
Asked if it was rare for a lifeboat that has served for so long, and is nearing the end of her operational lifespan, to be transferred to another station, rather than the relief fleet, Michael said it has happened in the past that if a lifeboat is damaged beyond economical repair, it would be replaced on station with a similar class from the relief fleet.
'I think in this case, our lifeboat was too good an opportunity for them to pass up, and they seized the chance to get her before she left the yard,' he added.
'On a positive note, she will now become a station boat again, and hopefully, she will finish out her time, however long or short, in the care of the Holyhead crew.'
