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Looe RNLI’s D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith II enters service

Lifeboats News Release

A unique event at the weekend when Looe RNLI volunteer crew and the Naismith family said farewell to the Ollie Naismith and welcomed the new D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith II which was officially placed on service at 12 noon, Saturday 19 November 2022

D-872 Ollie Naismith II , D-741 Ollie Naismith and B-894 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II passing Ollie’s memorial bench on the Banjo Pier

RNLI/Ian Foster

D-872 Ollie Naismith II , D-741 Ollie Naismith and B-894 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II passing Ollie’s memorial bench on the Banjo Pier

It was a special morning at Looe Lifeboat Station yesterday, Saturday 19 November 2022, when our RNLI volunteer crew introduced the charity’s latest D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith II to the Naismith family, Webber family and our local community. What made the day more special was the unique opportunity for everyone to see both Ollie Naismith lifeboats together on the slipway and afloat on Looe river and Looe bay. As the sun shone, our volunteer crews launched the Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II to escort both D Class inshore lifeboats as they passed the lifeboat station.

Watching the lifeboats pass Ollie’s memorial bench on the Banjo Pier, his father John Naismith commented:

“While it was very emotional to see both lifeboats that have been named in memory of Ollie it has been a day of great pride. I would like to thank everyone that had a part in this success, the achievement being even greater given the restrictions that COVID had on any activities when the Looe Lifeboat Appeal was launched. Thank you so much.”

Ollie’s mum, Maxine Naismith, his sister Tori, grandparents and other members of his family watched the action from the Lifeboat Station, Maxine says :

“I am immensely grateful and proud of everyone at Looe RNLI Lifeboat Station for all the effort they made on Saturday to honour the service and farewell ceremony for the D Class Ollie Naismith Lifeboat. We also welcomed the Ollie Naismith ll Lifeboat into operational service on Ollie's birthday. The occasion was so special and unique and was a wonderful event to celebrate the enormous generosity and support our community and visitors gave to enable Looe RNLI to continue saving lives at sea with a much needed new D Class Lifeboat. For me, it keeps Ollie at home in Looe. I am so very proud of his legacy and all the wonderful Lifeboat Crew who volunteer their time to keep us safe at sea. Thank you with all my heart”

Looe’s volunteer crew were also delighted to welcome two future crew members and their families to see the lifeboats. Both Ruby Riley and Finley Mayne undertook sponsored cycle rides raising over £5,000 between them for the Looe Lifeboat Appeal. After seeing the lifeboats on the slipway Ruby says :

It was so fantastic to see the new boat launch yesterday. I’m so proud to have been able to help raise some money for such an amazing lifeboat that will go on to help so many people who are in need. I hope one day I can be part of the RNLI crew.”

Finley goes on to say :

“The ceremony for the launch of the new Ollie Naismith was incredible. The amount of support and money raised by people far and wide, like ourselves, was truly amazing. To meet all the crew and watch the two D class lifeboats together in the harbour was fantastic and a first for us. Another great day spent with the RNLI lifeboat community. Well done and congratulations to all, We look forward to supporting RNLI Looe in our next challenge.”

After the lifeboats were recovered into the boathouse, refuelled, washed down and made ready, Tom Mansell, the RNLI’s Regional Lifesaving Lead, declared the Ollie Naismith II had officially taken over lifesaving duties from the Ollie Naismith and was placed on service.

END

Notes to editors

Photos:

· D-872 Ollie Naismith II , D-741 Ollie Naismith and B-894 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II passing Ollie’s memorial bench on the Banjo Pier
Photo credit
RNLI / Ian Foster

· The Naismith and Webber families with Gemma Riley, Looe RNLI volunteer crew and the Ollie Naismith II
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· D-872 Ollie Naismith II
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· D-872 Ollie Naismith II , D-741 Ollie Naismith and B-894 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· D-872 Ollie Naismith in Looe bay
Photo credit RNLI

· D-872 Ollie Naismith II and D-741 Ollie Naismith II
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

Information

· Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1992, Looe RNLI operate two inshore lifeboats
An Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and a D Class, the Ollie Naismith II

· In March 2021, the Looe Lifeboat Appeal was launched to raise funds for a new D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith II. The charity’s current D Class Ollie Naismith has reached the end of its operational life so this replacement will carry on Ollie’s lifesaving legacy for the next decade or more. Looking to raise £78,000 for the new inshore lifeboat, the appeal closed in March 2022, after raising a magnificent £111,000. The money raised over the £78,000 target will be ringfenced to Looe RNLI Lifeboat Station and used to fund the ongoing operational costs of the Ollie Naismith II.

· During her service to Looe the Ollie Naismith has launched on service 236 times, assisting 168 persons and saving 8 lives

· Planning for the formal naming and dedication ceremony for the Ollie Naismith II is underway and this event, which will be our opportunity to recognise everyone who has contributed to the appeal, is expected to take place in the spring / early summer next year.

· With over 50 years of service, D class lifeboats have helped to save thousands of lives at sea and continues to be the workhorse of the RNLI fleet today

  • With a top speed of 25 knots, the D class lifeboat can endure 3 hours at sea at this speed on search and rescue missions – a crucial factor when lives at risk.
  • The D Class can access areas inaccessible to the charity’s all-weather lifeboats, such as close to cliffs, rocks and inside caves. As an inflatable inshore lifeboat, the D class is designed to operate close to shore in shallower water.
  • Th D Class is ideal for rescues in fair to moderate conditions and particularly in big surf.
  • Most D class lifeboats are launched from a trolley, with the help of a launch and recovery vehicle such as a tractor. They can also be lowered into the sea using a davit system (a shore-mounted crane)
  • With no wheelhouse on the D class lifeboat, the crew are always exposed to the elements and rely on their protective kit to keep them safe and warm.
  • Many rescues take place at night and can involve being close to dangerous cliffs and manmade structures or searching caves and crevices.
  • In addition to night vision equipment, the D class lifeboat carries a searchlight and parachute illuminating flares to light up the surrounding area, helping to keep crew members safe as well as locate those in need of help.
  • Medical equipment is stowed in the bow pod and includes oxygen and full resuscitation kit, responder bag and multi-purpose ambulance pouch.
  • In the event of a capsize, the D class lifeboat can be righted manually by the crew and her 50hp outboard engine restarted

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website www.looelifeboats.co.uk

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone

Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Media Manager, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

or Emily Hazard, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07866 064437 or [email protected]

Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789
The Naismith and Webber families with Gemma Riley, Looe RNLI volunteer crew and the Ollie Naismith II

RNLI/Ian Foster

The Naismith and Webber families with Gemma Riley, Looe RNLI volunteer crew and the Ollie Naismith II
D-872 Ollie Naismith II

RNLI/Ian Foster

D-872 Ollie Naismith II
D-872 Ollie Naismith II , D-741 Ollie Naismith and B-894 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II

RNLI/Ian Foster

D-872 Ollie Naismith II , D-741 Ollie Naismith and B-894 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II
D-872 Ollie Naismith in Looe bay

Looe RNLI

D-872 Ollie Naismith in Looe bay
D-872 Ollie Naismith II and D-741 Ollie Naismith II

RNLI/Ian Foster

D-872 Ollie Naismith II and D-741 Ollie Naismith II

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, Twitter 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.

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