Port Talbot RNLI’s inshore lifeboat is officially named in a dedication ceremony

There is a long standing tradition in giving a name to a lifeboat and this has been important to the RNLI since the charity began in 1824 with the first recorded ceremony of naming taking place in 1855. The Port Talbot RNLI lifeboat station opened in 1966 and has since gone on to launch 681 times, helping 500 people with 75 lives saved.

In his time with RNLI Port Talbot, Craig formed part of a team who launched 164 times and saved 20 lives.

During the service Louise Fleet, Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan handed the lifeboat into the care of the RNLI. Both Jayne George, Fundraising Director and Lifeboat Operations Manager Clive Morris accepted the lifeboat into the care of the Port Talbot lifeboat station.

Phil Denyer, Port Talbot Lifeboat Chaplain, led the service with a moving rendition of Eternal Father, Strong to Save and Amazing Grace, ending with the Lifeboat prayer.

Craig Morris’ wife Alison Morris and Daughters Jessica and Sophie took pride in officially naming the lifeboat when a bottle of champagne was poured over the bow of the lifeboat.

Clive Morris, Lifeboat Operation Manager said: ‘Craig was a remarkable individual, a beacon of strength and was always ready to enter treacherous waters to save lives at sea, we name this lifeboat in Craig’s honour’

After a short break Port Talbot RNLI’s newest lifeboat was transported to the beach for a brief demonstration of the lifeboat in action.

Rachel Thomas, Deputy Launch Authority said: ’today was a culmination of months of planning, the ceremony was a very humbling tribute to Craig Morris a former, beloved crew member. Today was a hugely significant day for all volunteer crew, shop team and fundraisers, thank you to all those who helped in the planning and organising of this very special day’.

Notes to Editors

• With 60 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.

• 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.

• In the event of a capsize, the D class lifeboat can be righted manually by the crew and her 50hp outboard engine restarted