Aldeburgh vessel is being replaced with inshore lifeboat

The Mersey-class Freddie Cooper had served lifeboat charity the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's (RNLI) Aldeburgh station, but made its final journey on Sunday before heading off to join the RNLI's relief fleet.

In its place, the vessel is being replaced by an Atlantic-85 inshore boat, which had sparked concerns that the station's lifeboat provision was being "downgraded".

Crews bid farewell to the Freddie Cooper after 31 years (Image: Submitted) READ MORE: Aldeburgh Lifeboat decision a 'disgraceful outcome'- MP says

The decision to replace the lifeboat with the inshore boat was taken by the RNLI following a review into lifeboat provision along the east coast during which staff and volunteers at the Aldeburgh station were consulted on the 'correct lifeboat configuration' for the station.

However, the then Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey questioned the decision and asked what was happening with £2.4m of public donations that had been raised to buy a Shannon-class lifeboat for the station.

She was concerned the charity was "downgrading" the vessel and wrote to the Charity Commission asking what was happening with the money raised.

A bagpiper performs on board the Freddie Cooper before its final journey (Image: Submitted) READ MORE: MP's concerns about £2.4m intended for Aldeburgh lifeboat

But for its part, the RNLI said there had been a lack of call outs that needed the use of an all-weather lifeboat, while other stations could cover Aldeburgh's calls.

In July 2023, Amber French, the charity's area lifesaving manager for Aldeburgh, said: "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."

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

The Freddie Cooper will be joining the RNLI's relief fleet (Image: Submitted)