Falmouth RNLI officially name their new Shannon class lifeboat

In a timely reminder of the volunteer crew’s commitment to launch at any time, the ceremony was interrupted when the pagers sounded for the immediate launch of the inshore lifeboat.

Representatives of the donor, invited guests, volunteer lifeboat crew, fundraisers, shop volunteers, operational and station support teams, as well as local lifeguards, gathered on Falmouth’s North Quay for the occasion.

Decibel Too has been funded by a gift left in the will of Richard Coleman and administered by his friends on the RNLI City of London Committee.

Richard served in the Royal Navy and at the end of his National Service he bought what became the love of his life – Decibel - an 18ft 2.5 ton Hillyard-designed sailing sloop built in 1935. Over the years they shared many happy and intrepid journeys.

Today, the historic wooden vessel whose name inspired Falmouth’s new Shannon class lifeboat, is undergoing restoration by students at the Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy. It was able to be part of the ceremony following a memorable journey via road trailer to Falmouth.

Richard had a profound appreciation of the valuable work of the RNLI. Thanks to his great generosity, this lifeboat will allow Falmouth’s RNLI volunteer crew to continue saving lives at sea for many years into the future.

Tony Vlasto MBE, President of the RNLI City of London Committee, and other representatives from the RNLI City of London Committee were among those in attendance. The ceremony was opened by Chris Price, Chair of the Lifeboat Management Group, who welcomed guests before inviting Tony to formally present the lifeboat to the RNLI.

The lifeboat was accepted by RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes, who then formally entrusted it to Andrew Angove, Falmouth RNLI’s Launch Authority who accepted it on behalf of the station.

It was the service of dedication, led by the Reverend Andrew Mumford that was interrupted when the pagers sounded for the launch of Falmouth’s Inshore lifeboat, the gathered crowd watched on as the volunteer crew swapped their formal wear for dry suits and sped off. Reverend Mumford, admirably continued with the service and led the crowd into hymn.

Catherine Vlasto performed the official naming of the lifeboat after which the gathered guests heard from Will Reed, Director of Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy. Chris Price concluded the event with a vote of thanks before bringing the ceremony to a close.

Falmouth RNLI volunteers then gave a spectacular demonstration of the newly named Decibel Too and its capabilities, delighting guests and onlookers gathered along the quay. She was later joined by the inshore lifeboat, which had returned from the service call to a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) transmitting a distress signal in the Helford River. The area was thoroughly searched which nothing found, so the ILB was stood down.

Andrew Angove, RNLI Lifeboat Launch Authority, representing the station at the ceremony, said;

‘Since Decibel Too arrived at the station in June last year, she has been busy, launching 25 times, saving two lives and assisting 26 people.

Most notably she played a vital role in enabling our crew to respond to a total of seven incidents in the midst of Storm Goretti in January this year when the county was battered by a rare red Met Office weather warning. The Shannon’s jet engines provided incredible manoeuvrability to enable to the crew to navigate what was described at the time as the worst weather conditions the crew had been out in to help a number of people in difficulty. She proved her worth and capabilities.

We are hugely grateful to Mr Coleman for his generous legacy, Tony and Catherine Vlasto and the RNLI City of London Committee - it is an honour for the station to serve on a lifeboat named in memory of Mr Coleman.’

At the end of the ceremony, Peter Sparks presented RNLI Chief Executive’s Commendations for Nickolas Head, Dave Nicholl, Jonathan Hackwell, Adam West, Elliot Holman, Andy Edwards and Joe Sibley for their service during Storm Goretti.

Stephen Pateman, Lifeboat Administration Officer was presented an Excellence in Volunteering Award for his outstanding contribution to the RNLI and to Falmouth RNLI.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

· Images of the naming ceremony and Service of Dedication are available please credit RNLI/Tim Stevens

· Footage of storm Goretti Falmouth RNLI crew launch to the rescue in Storm Goretti

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