Katie Hannan, the Severn class lifeboat which was stranded on Rathlin Island for two weeks after grounding on 29 January, has been declared Beyond Economical Repair.
Katie Hannan, the Severn class lifeboat which was stranded on Rathlin Island for two weeks after grounding on 29 January, has been declared Beyond Economical Repair. The RNLI says the future of the £2 million boat is still under consideration, but it is possible that she may be used in some way for training and education.
An RNLI enquiry into the events that led to the grounding concluded that no negligence was attributable to the Portrush lifeboat crew, and a replacement lifeboat is already on station. Colin Williams, RNLI Divisional Inspector for Ireland, said, “Grounding is a constant threat when lifeboats operate close to the shore in shallow water. Not even the strongest lifeboat could survive being repeatedly driven against rocks by rough seas and storm force winds over a period of several days.”
