St Ives RNLI officially welcome their new inshore lifeboat
The local community joined invited guests and lifeboat volunteers, past and present, to the naming and dedication ceremony of the St Ives D class (21 May)
Mr Steve Instance, representative for the RNLI, accepted the boat on behalf of the RNLI and in so doing praised the dedication and courage of the crew, the resolute commitment of volunteer shore helpers plus the continued support and generosity given to the RNLI by the public.
Mr Instance then handed the lifeboat into the care of Mr Barry Hall, volunteer Lifeboat Operation Manager, who accepted it on behalf of the St Ives lifeboat station and volunteers. Mr Hall conveyed his thanks to the donor family for providing the station with such a valuable asset, one that would be invaluable in the provision of a comprehensive rescue service.
Following a dedication by Pastor Kenny Bassett, Ken Seakens named the lifeboat the Donald Dean and with a champagne christening, the inshore lifeboat was launched with volunteer Senior Inshore Lifeboat crewman George Deacon at the helm.
To conclude the proceedings Councillor Joan Tanner, Chair of the St.Ives RNLI fund raising team gave a vote of thanks to all those in attendance and for the many donations made on the day. Music was provided by the Hayle Town Band followed by a reception in the boathouse.
The D class inshore lifeboat has its own mobile launch and recovery system with a top speed of 25 knots and fuel capacity to operate for 3 hours at maximum speed. She is highly manoeuvrable and generally used close to shore. She comes into her own for searches and rescues in the surf, shallow waters and confined locations – often close to cliffs, among rocks and even inside caves. She is a valuable and essential support to her big sister, the all-weather Shannon class lifeboat, Nora Stachura.
The RNLI acknowledges the generosity extended to it by the Donald Dean charitable fund, which has totally funded the costs of this St. Ives Inshore Lifeboat.
Donald Dean, born on 25th March 1927, was educated at Manchester Grammar School and Manchester University. He achieved his doctorate in 1952. Following National Service in the Royal Medical Corps, he started a distinguished career in the British Petroleum Company, helping to establish many overseas hospitals and medical services, as far away as Kuwait, Nigeria and Trinidad. He was appointed Group Senior Medical Officer in London in 1974. On his retirement from BP in 1983, he took up the post of Chief Medical Officer at the Chamber of Shipping. Some10 years later, Donald was awarded a Fellowship of Occupational Medicine. In retirement, he continued his interests in music and cricket, remaining a member of the MCC with frequent visits to Lords.
Donald Dean passed away on the on the 6th December 2013 and left a wish for his estate to be used for charitable purposes.
Notes to editors
2 Photos and link attached to this document, Photos credited to Alban
Roinard/St Ives RNLI Phil Moyle / Alban Roinard St Ives RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07886
475974 / email: [email protected] or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Public RelationsManager (South), on 07920 818 807
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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