Historic occasion for Fowey as new RNLI lifeboat is named

The day started early for crew and Fowey lifeboat volunteers, who transformed the Town Quay into an RNLI event space. As crowds gathered on the quay, there was a great sense of anticipation and occasion and a reminder of how the local community values Fowey lifeboat station. At 3pm, with crew and Fowey lifeboat volunteers looking smart in their RNLI apparel, they were joined by the guests in singing the National Anthem as the ceremony got underway.

Adam Luck, Chair of the Fowey Lifeboat Management Group opened the proceedings with a welcome. The donor of the new lifeboat, Alan Jackson, was at the ceremony with his wife Annette and several members of their family. He was on stage next and officially handed over Spirit of Daisy into the care of the RNLI. This was a very personal heartfelt moment as the lifeboat is named after his late mother, Daisy, who first introduced Alan to the RNLI and who died at the age of 95. Spirit of Daisy was accepted on behalf of the RNLI by Carolyn Greene, the RNLI’s Chief People Officer. Carolyn said in her speech: ‘Ever since 1859 successive generations of lifeboat crews in Fowey have been keeping these waters safe. During this time, Fowey has launched on service 1,829 times and saved 301 lives; that is a remarkable number of people who have been reunited with their families thanks to the selflessness, kindness and courage of Fowey lifeboat crew. 301 people who have gone on to live their lives, have a career, a family and potentially grandchildren, which may apply to some of us here today.’ Carolyn also said: ‘This B class lifeboat, built at our Inshore Lifeboat Centre on the Isle of Wight, will ensure Fowey’s lifesaving heritage continues. The B class is perfectly suited to this part of the coastline; and alongside its sister inshore lifeboat, the D class, [with Olive Three also on service here at Fowey), responds to the most rescues and saves the most lives each year in the RNLI fleet. Since going on service earlier this year, Spirit of Daisy has already launched on service 11 times and aided 18 people.

We are indebted to Alan and Annette who have so generously funded this lifeboat. The RNLI couldn’t do its lifesaving work without people like you. And what a wonderful way to remember your mother Alan; I have no doubt Daisy would have been extremely proud to see this lifeboat named today, in her honour.’

Paul Gamble, Fowey Lifeboat Operations Manager, then accepted the lifeboat on behalf of Fowey Lifeboat Station. The next stage of the event, the Service of Dedication, was lead by Fowey’s vicar, Revd. Shona Hoad. This was a moving part of the ceremony, with music from Lostwithiel Town Band accompanying the singing of 3 hymns, Eternal Father Strong to Save, I Vow to Thee my Country and Home from the Sea. A prayer of dedication, the Lifeboat prayer and an excerpt from Wind in the Willows, all gave the service a feeling of emotional depth and gravitas. After a rousing rendition of Home from the Sea the Revd. closed the service with a blessing.

The donor Alan and his wife Annette formally named the lifeboat, in an emotional moment as the memory of Alan’s mother was invoked. Crew members Amelia Luck and Ros Jezard delivered a vote of thanks to all who had participated in making it such a fitting and memorable occasion, acknowledging the strong community spirit, generosity and teamwork that had gone into creating the day. They thanked Alan and Annette and presented them with a photo of the lifeboat personally signed by all the crew.

Throughout the ceremony, Spirit of Daisy had been moored up on Town Quay along with Fowey’s D class and Falmouth’s Atlantic 85 lifeboats. The final element of the day was to christen the lifeboat with a bottle of Moet et Chandon champagne. In a poignant moment, Alan poured the champagne over the bow of Spirit of Daisy, to cheers from the crowd.

The crew then launched her, along with Fowey’s D class lifeboat, for a display in Fowey harbour, to the delight of the onlooking crowds. It was a fitting end to an historic, and very moving day and the start of our new lifeboat’s lifesaving voyage.

The invited guests were treated to refreshments courtesy of the King of Prussia.

Alan’s mother, Daisy passed away aged 95 and it was she who first introduced him to the RNLI. As a teenager, Alan started boating in Beer in East Devon, in a 13ft Durafloat dinghy with an outboard engine and progressed into sailing dinghies. His mother was concerned about his safety on the open sea. One of the local fishermen would keep his eye on Alan which comforted his mother. To repay his help, his mother Daisy would raise money for the RNLI, collecting in their local town Solihull during Lifeboat appeals.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Cathy Baillie, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South West, [email protected]

Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for South West England, 07786 668847, [email protected]

Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for South West England, 07920 818807, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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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