Sennen Cove RNLI volunteers officially name their new D class inshore lifeboat.
At a special naming ceremony and service of dedication held on Saturday 5 July, volunteers at Sennen Cove RNLI officially named their new D class inshore lifeboat Arangy.
The new D class lifeboat arrived at the station on 28 November 2024 and has been funded entirely by a legacy left by Mr Geoffrey Bluff, who lived in Illogan Downs. Mr Bluff died in 2018 and left half of his residuary estate with the wish that it be used to benefit Sennen Cove RNLI. This has allowed for the purchase of the new D class lifeboat and additional funds for station running costs. At Mr Bluff’s request the lifeboat is named Arangy, in memory of his late wife Rita and himself.
The D class lifeboat has been the workhorse of the RNLI for over 50 years. With a top speed of 25 knots, the D class is designed to operate close to shore and in shallow water, making it ideal for difficult rescues close to cliffs, rocks and inside caves.
Arangy replaces the Amy Brown (D763) which has served Sennen Cove lifeboat station since 2013.
Invited guests, volunteer crew, fundraisers and their families attended the Station while many members of the public congregated to watch the occasion.
Adrian Semmens, Chair of the Lifeboat Management Group, welcomed guests and opened the proceedings.
Steve Butcher, close friend of the late Geoffrey Bluff, handed the lifeboat into the care of the RNLI which was accepted by RNLI Trustee, Lord Mark Sedwill GCMG FRCS, who then handed the lifeboat into the care of Sennen Cove Lifeboat Station.
Adrian Semmens accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the lifeboat station and handed into the care of Lifeboat Operations Manager Neil Willis.
Proceedings were continued by the Reverends Harry Burlton and Adam Thomas, with a service of dedication before Steve Butcher was invited to officially name the inshore lifeboat, Arangy.
Phil Coulter’s popular folk song Home from the Sea was then performed by St Buryan Male Voice Choir, who have been supporters of the lifeboat station for many years.
A vote of thanks was delivered by Coxswain Nick Hichens, which officially closed the ceremony.
Shortly after, Sennen Cove RNLI volunteers Tom Nicholas, Tamsyn Gorvin and George Williams took Arangy to sea to show the guests and onlookers the new lifeboat’s capabilities.
Tea and refreshments were served in the ILB boathouse .
Neil Willis, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Sennen Cove RNLI says: ‘I think I speak for everyone connected with the station when I say we are very proud to receive this new D class lifeboat which will serve our volunteers extremely well over the next decade. We are extremely grateful to Mr Geoffrey Bluff for his kindness in funding our new lifeboat.’
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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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 more than 146,000 lives.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok 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.