Clacton RNLI welcome Damar’s Pride to the fleet

At 3.00pm on Saturday 24 July, on a busy day already for the Clacton volunteer crews, who had been called out twice earlier in the day – all crew, volunteer fundraisers, shop volunteers and supporters gathered at the Clacton lifeboat station to celebrate and name the new D-class ILB (inshore lifeboat) – the Damar’s Pride.

Mr Andrew Snell, of a longstanding line of RNLI supporters whose family kindly donated the new D-Class lifeboat to Clacton’s station reminded everyone attending as to why these lifeboats are vital. Mr Snell recounted some of the lines from “Eternal Father Strong to Save” and reflected on how everyone in the RNLI contributes to help those that are in peril on the seas. From the volunteer crew members through to those that run and administer the organisation, all these volunteers drive toward one goal together – to save lives at sea.

The Snell family, benefactor of the station's previous D-class ILB, Damarkand IV which made countless rescues during its lifetime and is now on exhibition in Falmouth museum – have been staunch supporters of the RNLI over the last 50 years.

Mr Snell officially handed over the D-class ILB to Deputy Chair of the RNLI Janet Cooper, who then passed the lifeboat onto Clacton Lifeboat Operations Manager – David Wells who thanked the family for their past and continued support of the Clacton lifeboat station.

Mr Wells commented: 'We are very fortunate to have Marion, Andrew and the Snell family supporting us, with this, their second donation of a lifeboat to the Clacton station – we thank you all and it is very much appreciated by us, the crew and everyone involved in trying to make our community as safe as it can be.