Triumphant lifeboat launch (From Western Telegraph)

Triumphant lifeboat launch

A proud day in the distinguished history of Tenby RNLI was crowned by warm September sunshine on Saturday morning as the towns new inshore lifeboat was formally handed over and dedicated.

The £14,500 D class craft had a champagne christening from its donor, Mrs Georgina Taylor, of Wiltshire, before it made a triumphant launch accompanied by rousing music from Tenby Brass Band.

The Georgina Stanley Taylor has been in service since January, and was launched within two days - the first of 27 call outs so far this year. Her dedication ceremony was originally planned for earlier this year, but had to be postponed due to the foot and mouth disease restrictions.

But Saturdays occasion was one worth waiting for, and the RNLIs operations director, Michael Vlasto, praised the enviable record and fine crew of the Tenby station. He was also pleased to note that it maintains its strong family tradition, with sons following fathers into the crew.

They will look after this new boat and use it to good effect along this very challenging piece of coastline, he assured.

Mr Vlasto received the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI and handed it to the care of the Tenby station, when it was received by honorary secretary Arthur Squibbs, who thanked Mrs Taylor for her generosity.

Also donated are a new quad bike tractor to launch the lifeboat, provided by the newly-constituted Bridgnorth branch of the RNLI, and a trailer given by Mrs Margaret Burton, of Birmingham, in memory of her husband.

The service of dedication was conducted by the Rev Mark Soady, team vicar of Tenby, before the lifeboat was launched.

The only absentee from the ceremony was Tenbys Tyne class lifeboat, the RFA Sir Galahad, which is undergoing her third five-year refit at Holyhead which is likely to take several months. During this time, Tenby will be served by the Tyne class craft, The Famous Grouse, from the RNLIs relief fleet.

CAPTION: Tenby inshore lifeboat donor Mrs Georgina Taylor takes a trip aboard the new craft, crewed by brothers Ben, Peter and Robert James.

PICTURE: Gareth Davies Photography.