AN ANGLESEY lifeboat crew is set to welcome a new adition to its ranks.
Moelfre RNLI lifeboat crew’s £2.7 million new Tamar class vessel Kiwi will arrive on Monday, March 4, which will also see the re-opening of the revamped Seawatch Centre museum.
Coxswain Antony Barclay said: “When the new lifeboat comes around the headland for the very first time, I know there will be gasps from everyone who has turned out to welcome her.
“This really is a fantastic boat and I have every confidence that she will serve us well and help us to save more lives off Moelfre.”
Kiwi will replace the Tyne class lifeboat Robert & Violet, which entered service at Moelfre in 1988.
The old vessel was launched 392 times, saved 92 lives and rescued 412 people.
The new vessel was funded by the bequest of Reginald James Clark, a former merchant seaman from New Zealand, and was named in his honour.
Kiwi has computerised systems that enables crew members to control many of the lifeboat’s functions from the safety of their seats.
Davey Owen, the station’s eldest retired crew member at 78, will officially re-open the building, which the RNLI took over from Anglesey Council in 2011.
He said: “It is an honour to be invited to open this building which will keep the village’s maritime past alive.
“I hope people come along and see the items of interest on display and stay to watch the modern new lifeboat arrive on what will be a very proud day for Moelfre.”