New Seahouses lifeboat is named despite wintry weather
Seahouses RNLI enjoyed a proud day as their new inshore lifeboat D-828 Grace Darling was officially handed over to the RNLI.
The lifeboat was named by Mary Alston (widow of the late Capt George Alston, former station Honorary Secretary), and Margaret Dawson, widow of the late Tom Dawson MBE, former Bronze Medal Coxswain at Seahouses.
Bad Weather planning had to be put in place, and the ceremony was held in the boathouse instead of the open air.
Area Lifesaving Manager Ben Mitchell opened the proceedings, and Steven and Evan Crisp handed over the lifeboat to the RNLI.
Evan was rescued by Seahouses RNLI after being caught in a rip current, and used skills promoted by the RNLI to stay alive until rescue.
Lifeboat Council Member Fiona Fell accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI and Seahouses RNLI Operations Manager Ian Clayton accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the station.
Members of the local clergy conducted the service of dedication, and guests included local dignitaries and invited guests. The Lifeboat then launched and gave a demonstration of its abilities.
The local Village Voices choir offered choral and keyboard support, and guests enjoyed a superb buffet donated by Seahouses based Trotter Bakers.
Seahouses Lifeboat Operations Manager Ian Clayton commented: 'Despite some terrible weather initially, the event was very well supported. I would like to thank all of our guests for their support, for what turned out to be a very successful day. Our new lifeboat is performing well, and we are very grateful indeed to the Warter Priory who funded this boat and two others.'
RNLI Media contacts
For more information please contact Ian Clayton, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on: 07981 069 177 or at: ian.clayton@rnli.org.uk
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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.
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