RNLI to bid farewell to lifesaving lifeboat

The Maurice and Joyce Hardy 14-18 will lead a procession out of Fowey Harbour

Fowey RNLI will mark the end of an era later as it bids farewell to its all-weather Trent-class lifeboat after nearly 30 years of service.

Events to say goodbye to the vessel, Maurice and Joyce Hardy 14-18, will begin with free public tours of the lifeboat - offering a final chance to step aboard the vessel that launched 314 times, aided 462 people, and saved 22 lives since 1996.

Coxswain Jonathan Pritchard, who has served on the lifeboat since its arrival, will deliver a farewell speech at 14:15 BST, joined by former coxswains and past crew.

He will then take the helm one last time to lead a flotilla out of Fowey Harbour, flanked by lifeboats, harbour and trip boats, gigs, and private vessels.

The procession will pause at Fowey Town Quay and Polruan before forming a guard of honour at the harbour entrance.

The Trent will then begin her final journey to RNLI headquarters in Poole.

The celebrations continue on Saturday with Fowey Lifeboat Day, featuring live music, refreshments, and a public display of the new Atlantic 85 lifeboat.