Aldeburgh Lifeboat decision a 'disgraceful outcome'- MP says

On Wednesday, the RNLI announced that it would provide an Atlantic-85 inshore boat when Aldeburgh Lifeboat station's current Mersey-class vessel Freddie Cooper reaches the end of its operational life, despite campaigners calling for an all-weather Shannon-class boat instead.

READ MORE: RNLI will pursue feared change to Suffolk station's lifeboat

But Dr Coffey described the change as a 'disastrous downgrade' and questioned the way the situation had been handled by the charity, while also asking for evidence that £2m left in a will for Aldeburgh was being spent there.

She added: “I think this is a disgraceful outcome. I’m really disappointed with the lack of interaction with the local community and how the RNLI has treated its many volunteers who are out there saving lives or are ready to do so.

"The interaction I’ve had with them has been less than desirable. I will continue to take this up both with the RNLI leadership and the Charity Commission though to try and ensure it’s not the final chapter for the RNLI and Aldeburgh.”

She has written to charity regulator The Charity Commission calling for an investigation into the RNLI and said she had been given assurances the watchdog would 'look into matters' once a decision had been made.

Now that the decision has been made, the MP, who is also environment secretary, will be writing to the commission again amid real concerns about how money was being spent and the charity was being run.

Dr Therese Coffey has written to the Charity Commission calling for an investigation into the RNLI and how it is spending donations (Image: Archant)

READ MORE: Suffolk: RNLI reviewing Aldeburgh Lifeboat provision 

However, an RNLI spokesman said that money had been left in wills and allocated by the RNLI to fund a future lifeboat and associated equipment at Aldeburgh.

But she said the money had not been left specifically for the Aldeburgh station and was not 'legally restricted' to a particular piece of equipment, such as the Shannon-class boat.

The changes have followed a review into the charity's lifeboat provision along the east coast, which will also see the Atlantic-85 inshore boat at Happisburgh station in Norfolk being removed, with the station retaining its D-class inshore boat.

The RNLI spokesman also revealed data showing that only three call-outs per year over the last decade attended by the Aldeburgh station required the use of an all-weather lifeboat.

In total, the station's all-weather boat had been used 83 times out of a total of 167 incidents since 2012, but the spokesperson said the calls needing the all-weather boat could be attended by other stations as they were of a 'non-time critical' nature, usually involving towing.

READ MORE: Suffolk: MP's fears Aldeburgh Lifeboat could be 'downgraded'

Amber French, the charity’s area lifesaving manager for both stations, said: "The Mersey-class, all-weather lifeboat at Aldeburgh will soon reach the end of its operational service.

"Meanwhile, Happisburgh lifeboat station is facing severe challenges caused by worsening coastal erosion which has left its volunteers facing difficulties to safely launch their lifeboats. This issue has been compounded by a shortage of qualified crew.

"So the RNLI undertook a joint lifesaving effect review with our volunteers, staff and wider lifeboat station community in both areas.

READ MORE: Aldeburgh news

"We are very grateful for their insight and cooperation, which helped us reach the decisions on the correct lifeboat configuration for this stretch of water.

"As sea use around the coast changes, we must ensure that we have the most appropriate lifeboats in place which will save the greatest number of lives in the most effective way."