A naming ceremony and service of dedication for Penarth’s new RNLI Lifeboat was held at the Boathouse on Saturday 19th June 2010. The arrival of the new Atlantic 85 Lifeboat, the Maureen Lilian, was down to the generous donation by the Maureen Lilian Trust.
Mr Lawrie Williams, Trustee of the Maureen Lilian Trust, handed over the Atlantic 85 Lifeboat on behalf of the Trust to Colin Williams, Divisional Inspector Lifeboats for the West, who accepted the Lifeboat on behalf of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Philip Lay, Lifeboat Operations Manager, then accepted the Lifeboat on behalf of Penarth Lifeboat Station. Mrs Anne Daniels named the Lifeboat Maureen Lilian before the Atlantic 85 was launched in the sunshine to the awaiting crowds.
Philip Lay, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Penarth Lifeboat Station said:
‘The crew and team at Penarth were very proud to accept the new Atlantic 85 Lifeboat which was funded by donation from the Maureen Lilian Charitable Trust last Saturday.
The day was blessed with fine weather and the guests and dignitaries enjoyed a great display after the dedication with Andrew Vye Parminter on the helm. We were delighted to welcome many dignitaries to the ceremony, including the Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Local MP and Town Mayor as well as the families and friends of the Penarth Lifeboat Station. The Ladies from the fundraising branch finished the event off with a fine display of tea and cakes in Penarth yacht club.
I would like to thank everyone who helped in making the event a day for the community of Penarth to be proud of.’
The new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat is the most advanced inshore lifeboat ever produced by the RNLI. Able to reach casualties faster than the Atlantic 75 Lifeboat, it can reach speeds of up to 35 knots and features state-of-the-art technology to enhance its lifesaving capabilities. It has already been put to good use since arriving on station on 23rd February 2010.
