The new state-of-the-art Tamar class lifeboat Grace Dixon arrived on station at Barrow on 17 December 2008 to be welcomed by crew, station personnel and RNLI supporters. The new lifeboat had travelled from Plymouth via Padstow, Arklow, Bangor and Douglas before the final leg of the journey to her new station.

Five members of the Barrow lifeboat crew, led by coxswain Alec Moore MBE, brought Grace Dixon to Cumbria familiarising themselves with the new lifeboat during their five days at sea. The lifeboat was due at arrive a year ago but was damaged in severe weather conditions while en route. Following a full structural survey, repair work and a series of rigorous commissioning tests and trials, she is now ready to go into service.

Grace Dixon is named after a lady who left the RNLI a large legacy. Mrs Dixon, from Yorkshire, died in 2002 and left her entire estate to the charity for a new lifeboat.

See our photos of the launch of the Grace Dixon