Leverburgh’s new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat officially named.

The special ceremony, held on Leverburgh Pier, was attended by a large crowd, who were welcomed along with a performance from Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band, who travelled over especially for the occasion. The ceremony opened with songs from local ladies choir, Coisir Bhan Na Hearadh, under the instruction of Iain “Costello” MacIver.

Leverburgh RNLI Honorary President, Hamish Taylor, welcomed the large crowd to the service, paying tribute to the communities of Harris, Berneray, North Uist and beyond, who have supported the RNLI so well since its establishment in Leverburgh six years ago.

The majority cost of Leverburgh’s new Shannon Class Lifeboat, RNLB Stella and Humfrey Berkeley, was funded by the legacy of Mr Humfrey Ingram Berkeley and his late wife Stella. Both were avid supporters of the RNLI and they were also joint governors. Mr Berkeley left all of his residual estate to the RNLI and wished for a Lifeboat to be named after him and his wife. He also wanted the Lifeboat to be stationed on the West Coast of Scotland, in memory of the sailing that he and his wife enjoyed in those areas. Penny Innes, a niece of Mr & Mrs Berkeley, along with her family, was in Leverburgh for the naming ceremony and officially handed the Lifeboat to the RNLI.

The new Shannon was accepted on behalf of the RNLI, by Roger Lockwood, Chair of the RNLI Scottish Council.

Following the transfer of the Lifeboat to the station, Chris Ross, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Leverburgh RNLI then accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the volunteer crew, before Rev Mark MacLeod, Station Chaplain, led the Service of Dedication.

After the service of dedication, the Shannon Class Lifeboat was officially named by Penny Innes, which included a pouring of the now world-famous Isle of Harris Gin over the bow of the boat. This gesture was particularly significant as 2 of Leverburgh’s volunteer crew are employed by the distillery.

The Isle of Harris Distillery very kindly provided gifts for all the donor families and representatives involved in financing Leverburgh’s new Shannon. In addition to the Berkeley Legacy, the Lifeboat has also been funded by the following people/legacies:

· Mrs Muriel Madeleine Mackay

· Mr Hugh John Waterman

· Miss Isabel May Hogg

· Lord Leverhulmes Charitable Trust

The station would also like to acknowledge sums of money left to them by the estate of the late Mary Aida (Maida) MacLeod MacAskill, Morningside, Edinburgh (but formerly Berneray, Harris) and also a £10,000 donation from the Jeffrey Trust. This money will go towards the construction of a new fixed pontoon. The current pontoon is a temporary, modular structure and presents crew with sometimes challenging conditions underfoot.

The day’s proceedings were brought to a close with a vote of thanks from Leverburgh RNLI’s Chairman, Neil Campbell and a final performance by Coisir Bhan Na Hearadh and the Pipe Band.

After the ceremony, attendees enjoyed a sumptuous spread of tea and home-baking, provided by the station’s volunteer fundraisers.

Leverburgh Coxswain, Angus Morrison said: “The naming ceremony and service of dedication is a very special day for our lifeboat station and we are grateful to the legacy of Humfrey Ingram Berkeley and his late wife Stella, along with our additional donors, for allowing us this opportunity. Since the new Lifeboat went on service on 2^nd May, it has been launched on 5 occasions. Attending calls for help with a vessel as advanced as the Shannon in terms of safety and technology, really has enhanced our life-saving capability in the wide area we serve.”

Leverburgh Lifeboat Operations Manager, Chris Ross added: It has been both an honour and a privilege to have the families and representatives of those who contributed to the build of our new Shannon here in Leverburgh for this momentous occasion. Having the very best boats and equipment is key to the safety of our volunteer crew and undoubtedly helps to save lives at sea. It is thanks to the donors and their families that we find ourselves in the fortunate position of being home to one of the RNLI’s 20 Shannon Class Lifeboats on service today.

Designed in-house by RNLI naval architects, the Shannon class lifeboat was introduced to the RNLI’s fleet in 2013. The Shannon class is the first of the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboats to be powered by water-jets rather than traditional propellers, making it the most agile and manoeuvrable lifeboat in the charity’s fleet. Capable of 25 knots, the Shannon class is 50% faster than the Mersey she replaces. Able to cope with all weathers, she is inherently self-righting in the event of a capsize. The Shannon incorporates the very latest computer technology and is equipped with SIMS (systems and information management system), which allows crew members to monitor and operate many of the boat’s functions from the safety of their seats.

The naming ceremony of Leverburgh’s Shannon Class Life Lifeboat ties in nicely with the RNLI’s “Shannon Week”, an online publicity campaign which has been running all week to celebrate 5 years since the first Shannon joined the RNLI fleet. Online posts relating to this can be seen by searching for #shannonweek.

Leverburgh RNLI would like to thank all those who contributed to the success of the naming ceremony and service of dedication. This includes the Station Ceremonies and Legacies teams in Poole, photographers on the day, and all invited guests. Thanks also to the Anchorage Restaurant, Isle of Harris Distillery, Coisir Bhan Na Hearadh, Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band and the general public who came along on the day to show their support.

Notes for editors:

Leverburgh Lifeboat Station was founded in May 2012, initially on a trial basis. Since then, the station has become a permanent feature within the community. The station is run by over 20 volunteer crew, a fundraising committee and a local branch. Leverburgh RNLI is home to a new Shannon Class all-weather Lifeboat, RNLB Stella and Humfrey Berkeley 13-25. The Lifeboat came to the station on 21^st April and officially commenced service on 2^nd May 2018. There are 20 Shannon Class Lifeboats in operation around the UK. The coastlines covered by the Leverburgh RNLI Lifeboat include Harris, Skye, Uist and into the adjacent Atlantic areas, including St. Kilda.

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 142,700 lives.

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