British lifeboats to China
Expanding Chinese rescue services get retired UK craft

Two decommissioned RNLI lifeboats are now on their way to the Republic of China.

They were loaded aboard China Shipping Container Lines’ CSCL Africa at the Port of Felixstowe on 18th July and will arrive in Hong Kong in the middle of August.

The lifeboats, each 16 metres long and weighing 35 tonnes were sailed to Felixstowe under their own power.

One of the boats being exported is the very last Arun Class lifeboat in the RNLI UK fleet. The Mabel Williams which was stationed at Calshot was launched 239 times and rescued 258 people during her 17years of service with RNLI. She is one of seven lifeboats sold by the RNLI to the China Rescue and Salvage Bureau.

China Shipping (UK) Agency worked closely with the Port of Felixstowe and the RNLI to manage the shipment of all the boats so they arrive in China ready to continue their lifesaving duties in the country’s rapidly expanding sea rescue service. As part of the agreement crews from the Republic of China come over to the UK to be trained by the RNLI East Division on the boats that have been purchased.