New Shoreham RNLI inshore lifeboat 'Joan Woodland' officially named
The new Shoreham RNLI inshore lifeboat was officially named by the family who donated the lifeboat's equivalent cost at a ceremony on Saturday 23 April.
The D-class Inshore Lifeboat (ILB), which arrived on station in June 2015, was named Joan Woodland in memory of the late lady of the same name.
The Woodland family donated the cost of the new lifeboat. Joan's son David Woodland named the craft and poured champagne over it before officially handing it over to Shoreham RNLI lifeboat station coxswain Steve Smith.
Rev Jonathan French from St Michael and All Angels Church, Southwick, blessed the lifeboat, and the crew presented the family with framed photos of the new craft.
The inshore lifeboat then launched from the boathouse slipway watched by the guests. Shoreham RNLI's All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) later launched carrying members of the donor family on board so they could watch the capabilities of the inshore lifeboat.
Powered by a 50hp outboard motor, the D-class lifeboat can sustain a top speed of 25 knots at sea for three hours. In the event of capsize, the boat can be righted by the crew and the engine can be restarted. It is kitted out with everything the crews need to locate and assist the casualties who need their help.
Coxswain Steve Smith said: 'We would like to say a huge thank you to the Woodland family who have supported Shoreham RNLI lifeboat station over many years.
'Their generosity has provided us with two inshore lifeboats, the Barry Lazell named after Joan’s late son-in-law in 2005, and now the Joan Woodland named after Joan in 2015.'
www.shorehamlifeboat.co.uk
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