RNLI announces the next step towards Rhyl station getting their new lifeboat.
The station officials, volunteer crew and supporters were told the name of their new Shannon-class lifeboat, to arrive on station in late 2019.
Darrel quoted John's letter: ' The new lifeboat (hull number 13-34) will bear the name Anthony Kenneth Heard , funded by a legacy from the late Beryl Patricia Edith Heard'
Darrel continued: 'Mrs. heard came from Colchester, Essex and died in November 2014.She was a long-time supporter of the RNLI and made provisions in her will for a lifeboat to be named in memory of her late husband. Anthony Heard died in 1996, and also left sufficient funds to purchase a D-class inshore lifeboat which was stationed in Dun Loughaire (Ireland) from 2001 to 2009. Beryl and Anthony Heard enjoyed cruiser sailing along the Essex / Suffolk Coast'.
'A suitable naming ceremony for the new boat will be arranged once the lifeboat takes up station'.
Martin Jones, Rhyl RNLI lifeboat coxswain says: ' The whole station is delighted that the next step has taken place to see our new lifeboat on station. We thank the family of Mrs. Heard for funding our boat, and we hope to forge a long-lasting friendship with her relatives in the near future'.
He added: 'The hard work undertaken by all connected with Rhyl RNLI is now coming together to continue our fine tradition of helping save lives at sea off the coast of Denbighshire' .
Pictures below (credit RNLI/Paul Frost), show a relief Shannon-class at the boathouse fitting test in March 2018, and also the new lifeboat Anthony Kenneth Heard being built at the RNLI's All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset.
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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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