Naming and dedication ceremony of Port Erin RNLI Atlantic 85 class lifeboat

The new Atlantic 85 lifeboat has been officially named B-951 Neil Crowe with the naming ceremony and dedication taking place on a very hot and sunny Saturday afternoon from 12.30pm at the Raglan Pier, Port Erin.

The invited audience included Neil Crowe’s family, friends of Neil Crowe from the local sailing community, representatives of the Gough Ritchie Charitable Trust, which funded the new lifeboat, volunteer crew members from Port Erin RNLI, and volunteers from flanking stations Peel and Port St Mary RNLI.

Peel volunteers arrived on board their Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Frank and Brenda Winter, and Port St Mary volunteers came on board their Trent class all-weather lifeboat Henry Heys Duckworth.

Also in the audience were ex-Chief Minister Sir Miles Walker CBE, President of Tynwald Laurence Skelly MLC, Juan Watterson MHK, RNLI Governor Mark Wrigley and Captain of the Parish of Rushen, Paul Costain.

Port Erin RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Lewis Ridgway, opened proceedings by welcoming guests and introducing the naming ceremony as a chance for the donors to welcome the lifeboat into service.

Lewis said:

'This ceremony gave us a heartfelt opportunity to thank the Gough Ritchie Charitable Trust and the family of Neil Crowe, whose generous donation has funded our next chapter of saving lives here at Port Erin Lifeboat Station.

'We know this new lifeboat will save many lives under the command of our volunteer crew, keeping the community and visitors to our Manx waters safe in the years to come.'

Next was Charles Crossley as representative of the Gough Ritchie Charitable Trust, who had not only crossed paths with Neil Crowe who was a founding Trustee of the Trust, but also as an accountant at firm Pannell Kerr Forster. Charles Crossley welcomed all who serve on the Neil Crowe safe passage, handing the new lifeboat into the care of the RNLI so that they may continue to save lives at sea.

Patrick Crowe then delivered a moving tribute to his late father, Neil Crowe, who the new lifeboat is named after, saying that he was never happier than when he was on the water with his wife Carol, which led him to be a lifelong supporter of the RNLI.

Paddy McLaughlin, RNLI Trustee, accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI, handing it into the care of Port Erin RNLI Lifeboat Station, who have managed to save 122 lives since their inception 121 years ago in 1884. Lewis Ridgway accepted the lifeboat on behalf of Port Erin RNLI Lifeboat Station, with a speech of thanks.

Reverend Colin Barry led a Service of Dedication, his 5th naming ceremony conducted on behalf of the RNLI, giving thanks for the new lifeboat B-951 Neil Crowe, blessing all who will serve in her during her service in the RNLI.

The crowd then stood for hymn ‘Eternal Father, Strong to Save’, accompanied by Rushen Silver Band, followed by the Lord’s Prayer, Dedication of the Lifeboat and The Lifeboat Prayer.

Members of the Crowe family, daughters Ginny Harrison, Lucinda Johnston and Georgina Ellis were then invited to officially name the lifeboat, spraying champagne donated by local craft winery Foraging Vintners across the bow.

Following the service, volunteer crew demonstrated the capabilities and agility of the Atlantic 85 lifeboat Neil Crowe as they performed a display. The lifeboat was adorned with Manx and RNLI flags and red, white and blue bunting. Crew on the day were Helm Tony Mitchell, and Crew Members Jason Fleming, Iain Wilkinson and Matty Preston.

Music before and during the ceremony was provided by the brilliant Rushen Silver Band, and the ceremony was followed by a reception at the lifeboat station.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Port Erin Lifeboat Press Officer, Niki Beesley on [email protected] or 07624 481410.

Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on [email protected] or 07977 728 315 or the RNLI Press Office on [email protected] or 01202 336789.