Newcastle RNLI names two new inshore lifeboats

The Atlantic 85 class lifeboat which went on service last December and was officially named Berylium, has been funded by Beryl and the late Gilbert Williamson.

Beryl and her late husband Gilbert had always intended to fund a lifeboat on their deaths. After Gilbert’s death, Beryl decided that she would prefer to fund two lifeboats during her lifetime. Beryl wanted to name the Atlantic 85 lifeboat Berylium in the hope that she would be a treasured diamond in the fleet and a great asset in helping volunteers to save lives at sea.

Beryl and Gilbert’s association with the sea goes back to the 13th Century, when one of

their ancestors, Sir Patrick Spens, was ordered by the King to sail to Norway during winter. Although Sir Patrick knew that this was extremely dangerous, he obeyed the King, resulting in him not only losing his own life, but also his crew and his ship.

Beryl and Gilbert also lost seven family members in the Eyemouth Fishing Disaster in 1881. The couple were involved in opening the first RNLI charity shop, called the Lucky Dip, in Edinburgh in 1967.

Meanwhile, the D class lifeboat, Cameronian, which first went on service last October, has been funded by Margaret Cameron who also generously supported the funding of the new Shannon class lifeboat, Bobby Cameron, at Kilkeel RNLI.

Margaret who attended today’s naming ceremony, was brought up with three brothers on a farm at Gracehill in County Antrim during the World War II years. Money was precious and Margaret and her family were taught to be thrifty.

Following retirement, Margaret undertook a journalism course and worked as a freelance writer while also enjoying creative writing. She has been a volunteer in the

Marie Curie Centre in Belfast and at the Share Centre in Lisnaskea. In 2018, Margaret travelled to Buckingham Palace with her brother Bobby and her two nephews, where she was awarded an MBE by the Queen.

At the start of today’s proceedings, Daniel Curran, Launch Authority at Newcastle RNLI, welcomed guests. Then in her absence, a short recording from Beryl Williamson, was played for the gathered crowd as she formally handed the Atlantic 85 class lifeboat into the care of the RNLI. Margaret Cameron followed by handing the D class lifeboat into the care of the charity. RNLI Trustee Paddy McLaughlin accepted both lifeboats and handed them into the care of Newcastle Lifeboat Station.

Daniel Curran in accepting on behalf of the station, said the volunteer team had heralded a new era of lifesaving at Newcastle with the arrival of both new inshore lifeboats in the last year.

Speaking about the ceremony, he said: ‘As one of the Launch Authorities, I have the responsibility to authorise the lifeboats launch when requested, and to send a message to the crew asking them to get to the station as quickly as possible. Over recent months, I have watched as intensive training has been undertaken by our volunteers to get to grips with a new class of lifeboat and to bring a full inshore capability to Newcastle, matching the risk and rescue activity at our coast as well as the changing trends in water use.

‘This year saw us bid an emotional farewell to our beloved Mersey class lifeboat when it came to the end of its operational life, but it has also saw us have the privilege of gaining not one but two new modern lifeboats to meet the search and rescue demands placed upon on us. We know thanks to the generosity of the donors and the commitment and dedication of our volunteers, that both Berylium and Cameronian will ensure we continue to provide the most effective lifesaving service now and long into the future.’

Canon Myrtle Morrison, Fr Jim Crudden, Rev Dr Richard Wright and Rev Adrian Moffett

then led the congregation in the service of dedication that followed, during which the lifeboats were officially named. The gathered crowd of well-wishers including family and friends of the station, watched as a bottle of champagne was poured over the side of each lifeboat at the end of the ceremony.

When it comes to getting to the scene, the Atlantic 85 class lifeboat is one of the fastest in the fleet; its top speed is 35 knots powered by two 115hp 4-stroke engines. Designed to operate in shallower water, the lifeboat can handle fairly challenging open sea conditions too – force 7 near gale winds in daylight and force 6 at night. The lifeboat is ideal for rescues close to shore, near cliffs and rocks and is also capable of being beached in an emergency without sustaining damage to its engines.

The D class lifeboat, meanwhile, is known as the workhorse of the RNLI’s fleet and continues to evolve to meet changes in demand and technology.

With a top speed of 25 knots, it can endure three hours at sea at this speed during search and rescue, a crucial factor when lives are at risk.

As an inflatable inshore lifeboat, the D class is designed to operate close to shore in shallower water and confined locations - often around cliffs, rocks and caves, and is ideal for rescues in fair to moderate conditions and particularly in big surf.

Ends

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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