A ROYAL visit was enjoyed by all at an RNLI base in Poole as His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent met with staff.
Prince Edward, first cousin of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, was given an extensive tour of the RNLI’s All-weather Lifeboat Centre on June 7 and took the opportunity to engage with the charity’s marine engineering apprentices.
The centre is where the production and refit of the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboats takes place.
Following almost 20 years of service, the Mersey class all-weather lifeboat Her Majesty The Queen has retired. As part of the visit, Prince Edward was able to view the lifeboat after.
RNLI electrical apprentice Amanda Jones said: “It has been really exciting to meet His Royal Highness today and to showcase our Lifeboat Centre.
“I started my apprenticeship last year and it has been fantastic to work with a team of people who have many years of experience across different areas in marine engineering.”
The Duke later enjoyed lunch with RNLI chair Janet Legrand, chief executive Mark Dowie, Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell, and 28 nominated members of RNLI staff who were invited in recognition of their work for the charity.
Mark Dowie said: “The Duke has a particular interest in engineering, so it was wonderful to be able to show His Royal Highness our manufacturing facility here in Poole, opened in 2014, with the 49th Shannon class lifeboat just completing production and bound for Whitby.
“Amongst the 170 staff employed within the factory, we have 16 apprentices across a four-year programme. The RNLI’s apprenticeship scheme provides a wide range of opportunities within marine engineering and boatbuilding, with the majority progressing to full-time positions at the RNLI following their training.
“Last weekend, The Duke experienced our latest Shannon class lifeboat first-hand during a trip onboard RNLB Duke of Edinburgh at Wells-next-the-Sea. Today, His Royal Highness was able to witness the 17-month build and commissioning process from the initial hull and deck production through to the final fixtures and fittings being installed.
“It was an honour to welcome our president back to Poole and showcase our world-class boatbuilding facility.”
HRH The Duke of Kent has been president of the RNLI since 1969.
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