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New Seahouses lifeboat is named despite wintry weather

Lifeboats News Release

Seahouses RNLI enjoyed a proud day as their new inshore lifeboat D-828 Grace Darling was officially handed over to the RNLI.

Indoor naming ceremony being addressed by Seaouses LOM

RNLI/Adrian Don

Seahouses LOM Ian Clayton addresses the guests

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: [email protected]

Mary Alston, widow of late Capt G Alston (ex Hon Sec) and Margaret Dawson, wife of late ex Seahouses Cox Tom Dawson MBE, (RNLI Bronze Medal)

RNLI/Adrian Don

Former Guild Members Mary Alston and Margaret Dawson
New Inshore Lifeboat D-828 Grace Darling being put through her paces off Seahouses.

RNLI/Adrian Don

D-828 Grace Darling at sea
Both Seahouses Lifeboats share the Grace Darling name

RNLI/Adrian Don

Two boats - same name !

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.