Lucy Lavers on her way to Levington and Harwich

14/05/2015

Photograph by Lucy Geering

Lucy Lavers left Aldeburgh Yacht Club pontoon at 08.20am this morning, Thursday 14th May, as soon as the tide floated her. 

Photographs by Lucy Geering

She set off down the River Alde, ably coxed by Aldeburgh Coxswain Steve 'Tag' Saint - seen in the photo above sporting a historic set of lifeboatmen gear.   He changed back into his regular lifeboatmen gear before setting off, marvelling at how heavy the vintage set was. 

Photograph by Lucy Geering

Mechanic James Cable and a number of other eager crew members were also on board. 

The mood was distinctly jovial and lots of sausage rolls were eaten soon after embarking. 

Photograph by Lucy Geering

One crew member, Oliver Close-Brookes, was marking his birthday on board Lucy Lavers.  He also owns a historic Liverpool-class lifeboat and took Lucy Lavers' helm between Shingle Street and Felixstowe.   

Photograph by Emma Close-Brooks

There was a lot of cloud cover, and the wind and tide were against Lucy Lavers' passage.

Photograph by Lucy Geering

Even so, dauntless Lucy Lavers arrived at Levington at 12.20pm, sooner than the Coxswain was anticipating.  She was escorted to her berth by kindly local boatsmen and will be there until tomorrow morning, Friday 15th May, when she departs for Harwich.