The Ann Letitia Russell lifeboat back home in Fleetwood with marina assistants Daryl Randles, Simon Price and Will Taylo
In her heyday she saved more than 150 souls. Now ABP has joined a community effort to save former Fleetwood lifeboat TheAnn Letitia Russell.
The 41ft Watson Class lifeboat, served the waters of Fleetwood from 1939 to 1976 before being sold, moving to ABP’s fellow port of Lowestoft and falling into disrepair.
When local media reported on her condition in May this year, the community kick-started a campaign to restore her; and on Wednesday she was back on the road home to Fleetwood.
ABP’s teams at the ports of Lowestoft and Fleetwood have volunteered their time and ABP has gifted storage space to ensure the project is a success.
In Lowestoft, they lifted her onto the road transport at no cost and on Wednesday, crews in Fleetwood were on hand to move her into the marina dry compound where her restoration will take place.
ABP Short Sea Ports Director, Andrew Harston, said: “The Ann Letitia Russell lifeboat has a strong history in the seas off Fleetwood. I am extremely proud to have the staff of not one, but two, ABP ports volunteer to assist this worthwhile cause.”
ABP Port Manager North West, Paul Jervis, said: “The enthusiasm and tireless efforts of the Fleetwood community, particularly the Ann Letitia Russell Rescue Group, to get this project off the ground has been fantastic. The amount of work that has been achieved in three short months has to be commended.
“We are all looking forward to seeing her in her restored glory.”
Once the Ann Letitia Russell lifeboat is restored it is expected that she will be sited on the Fleetwood promenade.
If you would like to donate to the Ann Letitia Russell Rescue, please visit this website: http://www.visitfleetwood.
Notes to editors:About ABP North WestWith the support of its customers, ABP’s North West ports of Silloth, Barrow, Fleetwood and Garston contribute £510 million to the UK economy every year and support 5, 497 jobs in the region and 7, 500 jobs nationally.
About ABP is the UK’s leading ports operator with 21 ports and other transport related businesses creating a unique national network capable of handling a vast array of cargo. ABP contributes £5.6 billion to the UK economy every year and supports 84, 000 jobs. Our current investment programme promises to deliver an extra £1.75 billion for the economy every year. ABP…
Our five year investment programme is worth £837 million. Our investment is designed to respond to the needs of our customers whose business relies on our ports for access to international and, in some cases, domestic markets.
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