
Double celebration for Barry Dock RNLI
Barry Dock RNLI celebrated two very special events on Saturday; the naming ceremony of their state-of-the-art Shannon class all-weather lifeboat and the opening of the new lifeboat station.
In 2015, two rare Ferraris were sold at auction raising £8.5M for the RNLI. This was the remarkable legacy of Mr Richard Colton and his family and friends are delighted that part of his legacy is being used to fund the new Shannon class lifeboat at Barry Dock.
The new lifeboat station at Barry Dock, which became operational in 2023, plays an integral part in saving lives at sea in the area, aided by the new facilities available. This includes a warm shower which is able to slowly warm a casualty, enough space and room to facilitate setting up a casualty resuscitation area, and the facilities and equipment to aid and support paramedics.
The new station has also embraced the RNLI’s ‘One Crew’ ethos with training being facilitated on site by Lifeguards, Water Safety, Fundraising, Visitor Experience, Retail, Assessor Trainers, Learning and Development and many more teams.
During the event, guests were welcomed to the new lifeboat station by Stuart MacMillan, Chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group. The proceedings began with Enid Jones, a local supporter, handing the lifeboat station into the care of the RNLI on behalf of the donors.
The Shannon class lifeboat Richard and Caroline Colton II was then handed into the care of the RNLI by Charles Denton, also a donor representative. Janet Legrand OBE, RNLI Chair, accepted the lifeboat station and lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI and passed them into the care of Barry Dock.
Bill Kitchen, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Barry Dock Lifeboat Station, accepted the lifeboat and station on behalf of everyone at the station. Reverend Kevin Lake then lead the service of dedication, followed by a vote of thanks from Bill Kitchen.
Liz Matthews a local fundraiser was invited to officially open the lifeboat station. Helen Weber, a donor representative, officially named 13-51 RNLB Richard and Caroline Colton II.
Following the ceremony, the lifeboat launched on exercise, whilst attendees watched and enjoyed refreshments.
Andy Gavan RNLI Coxswain at Barry Dock RNLI said:
‘It’s an honour to witness this momentous occasion that I’m sure will be remembered by the Barry Dock RNLI community for decades.
‘Barry Dock Lifeboat Station is incredibly grateful to Mr Richard Colton, Myristica Trust and The Kinsurdy Charitable Trust for their generous donations. They have directly contributed to the continuation of our lifesaving operations off South Wales’s coast.
‘Between moving into our new station, and the allocation of our new Shannon, we’ve had an exciting couple of years. I’d like to thank all of our volunteers and their families for their unwavering support and dedication over the last few months.
‘I’m very much looking forward to our station’s next chapter.’
Janet Legrand, Chair of the RNLI, added:
‘It was a great honour to represent the RNLI at the Naming Ceremony of the new Shannon class lifeboat, Richard and Caroline Colton II, and the opening of Barry Dock RNLI’s new lifeboat station.
‘It was a very special day for all involved. For the crew and volunteers as we officially named their new lifeboat and opened their new station; for the family and friends of Richard and Caroline Colton, and the trustees of Myristica Trust and The Kinsurdy Charitable Trust, whose generosity funded these new lifesaving assets; and for me personally, being my first official engagement in Wales as Chair of this remarkable institution.
‘We’re immensely proud of all who give up their time to volunteer at Barry Dock Lifeboat Station, and for the dedication, commitment and sacrifice they make. Whatever their role – crew, station management or fundraiser – they are the embodiment of the RNLI, willingly and selflessly helping others in need.’
The Shannon class lifeboat began its journey being built at the All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole. It was launched in January this year, before undergoing sea trials and embarking on the four-day passage from Poole to Barry.
Crowds welcomed the crew and their new boat into Whitmore Bay on 17 March. Since then, the crew have undertaken extensive training to upskill and learn how to operate the new lifeboat.
Barry Dock’s Shannon class lifeboat Richard and Caroline Colton II officially entered RNLI service on 9 June.
The £2.5M lifeboat was funded by a combination of Mr Colton leaving a legacy of two Ferrari cars in his will that were gifted to the RNLI and auctioned, as well as a very generous contribution from Myristica Trust.
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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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