Naming ceremony and dedication of Bridlington RNLI Lifeboat

Bridlington’s D-Class lifeboat was officially named last Sunday after a long delay due to the covid pandemic. The D-Class lifeboat came as a result from the legacy of Mr Ernie Wellings who was originally from Wandsworth in South London before retiring to Grantham in Lincolnshire. Ernie served with the Royal Engineers during the Second World War before returning to working on the railways. Ernie had been a committed supporter of the RNLI for many years.

Bridlington RNLI volunteer crew, invited guests, family and friends gathered on a glorious afternoon at the Bridlington Lifeboat Station. The event was opened by Dave Garnett, the Bridlington Chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group, before Ernie’s niece, Linda Neal, handed the boat over to the RNLI which was accepted by Ross Barraclough, Head of Region for the North and East of the RNLI. The boat was then accepted by Chris Shaw, Lifeboat Operations Manager (Operations) and Andy Webber, duty helm on behalf of Bridlington Lifeboat Station.

The service of dedication was lead by Reverend Matthew Pollard before volunteer crew member Joff Pearson gave a reading to the gathered guests, Joff being the first person to helm the boat at Bridlington RNLI on a service call. This was followed by Steve Clark, Lifeboat Operations Manager (People and Communications) who invited Rod Orford, Ernie’s nephew, to name the lifeboat ‘Ernie Wellings’. The proceedings were brought to a close by Bob Taylor, Water Safety Officer, before the guests were given a demonstration of the boat’s capabilities when the boat was launched for a short display in front of the station.

David Garnet stated during his opening speech ‘Whatever your relationship to the RNLI, whether you’re a supporter or a volunteer, past or present, thank you so much for coming along today and for helping to save lives at sea’.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact Mike Milner, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected] or call:07751-054052.

Notes to Editors: Photos are credited to Mike Milner (Lifeboat Press Officer Bridlington).

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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