Official naming ceremony for Calshot RNLI’s new lifeboat, David Radcliffe
On a chilly, cloudy but dry 16 March afternoon Calshot RNLI officially took possession of their new D class lifeboat D-880 David Radcliffe.
In RNLI tradition Mark Radcliffe, son of David for whom the boat is named formally handed the boat over to Jamie Chestnutt, RNLI Director of Engineering and Supply, who in turn then handed it over to Jane Banting, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Calshot RNLI.
Barry James, the station chaplain then led the service of dedication, and the boat was officially named by Mark along with David’s grandchildren, before one of Calshot’s helms, Damien Lester gave a vote of thanks.
Music was provided by the New Forest Brass Band and along with the Radcliffe family, representatives from Lymington and Bembridge RNLI and Hamble Independent Lifeboat were in attendance.
A commemorative cake had been made by volunteer crew member Mike Church which was cut by David’s daughter Danielle.
Once the ceremony was complete, Calshot RNLI volunteer helms, Graham Burgess, Andy Headley and Damien Lester took the newly christened lifeboat to the water to showcase her capabilities to the watching audience.
Of the event, Banting said: ‘It was a wonderful occasion, we were delighted to meet the Radcliffe family who have so generously donated our new D Class. We look forward to honouring David’s legacy as our volunteers continue to save lives at sea as we have done throughout the 54 years we’ve been operating here at Calshot.’
Twenty Four hours after the official naming ceremony, David Radcliffe was called into action twice in the space of under an hour, firstly paged to a broken down vessel, before being tasked to a second whilst recovering to shore from the first shout.
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