Exmouth RNLI to host ceremony to name and dedicate their new inshore lifeboat.

Event: Exmouth RNLI naming ceremony and dedication of D class lifeboat George Bearman II

Venue: Exmouth lifeboat station, Queens Drive, Exmouth EX8 2AY

Date/time: Saturday 20 May, 2pm

The dedication and the naming of George Bearman II will take place at 2pm, four months after her arrival at the south Devon lifeboat station. Over this time, the new D class lifeboat has launched 24 times and assisted 14 people in difficulty.

Pauline Smith will formally hand over the second inshore lifeboat she has funded for Exmouth lifeboat station to representatives of the Institution. Pauline wished for a lifeboat to be named after her Grandfather, one of five Coastguards who lost their lives at sea on service off Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk on 22 February 1898. In total, 11 men lost their lives in treacherous conditions attempting to reach the HMS Alarm, a torpedo gun boat. George Bearman was 38 years old. After the 10 years’ service the original George Bearman inshore lifeboat served, Pauline was eager to fund a second to continue saving lives at sea in Lyme Bay.

Pauline says:

Pauline said: 'Naming a lifeboat in memory of my Grandfather is my personal tribute to a life lost bravely but so needlessly.'

Exmouth Lifeboat Operations Manager, Kevin Riley MBE says:

‘We’d love to see as many of our supporters at the ceremony. Regrettably, due to lack of space, the ceremony is invitation only but there should be plenty of standing room on the esplanade or beach for any members of the public who would like to watch the ceremony.’

The event will start at 2pm and run through a set order as follows:

1. Exmouth Town Crier announces the Ceremony
2. National Anthem – Exmouth Town Concert Band
3. Darryl Nicholas, Chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group, welcomes guests and opens the proceedings.
4. Pauline Smith hands over the lifeboat to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
5. Martin Gregory RNLI Council Governor, accepts the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI and hands it into the care of the lifeboat station.
6. Kevin Riley MBE, Lifeboat Operations Manager, accepts the boat on behalf of the station.
7. The Reverend Benedict Cambridge leads the Service of Dedication.
8. Pauline Smith officially names the lifeboat D-805 George Bearman II.
9. Charlie Allen, Crew volunteer offers a Vote of Thanks to the donor and local community.
10. Nigel Jones, Area Lifesaving Manager, gives a Vote of Thanks and closes the proceedings.
11. Exmouth Lifeboat Crew Volunteers launch George Bearman II, weather and operations permitting.

Notes to editors

• You, or a representative, are invited to attend the naming ceremony on Saturday 20 May. Please contact Emma Tarling or Carrie Garrad (contact below) to let them know you’ll be attending.
• Photos will be available after the event.
• There is no parking available at the station. Please use the pay and display car park at Foxholes and continue to the station on foot.

For more information contact Emma Tarling, Exmouth Lifeboat Press Officer on 07837 810082 or email: [email protected]. Alternatively you can call Carrie Garrad, RNLI Press Officer on 07786 668847 or email or [email protected].

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.