RNLI lifeboat Ralph welcomed to Aldeburgh in official naming ceremony
At 2.30pm on Saturday 30 August 2025, the RNLI community in Aldeburgh gathered in front of the boathouse for the naming of the town’s new Atlantic 85 lifeboat Ralph – and to honour the station’s enduring connection with the lifeboat’s donor, the late Miss Joyce Powell.
Since entering service at the start of the year, the B class inshore lifeboat has served Aldeburgh RNLI volunteers on many training exercises and rescue missions, including going to the aid of a capsized kayaker struggling in rough seas at the end of July.
With a top speed of 35 knots, the Atlantic 85 is one of the fastest lifeboats in the RNLI fleet, reaching people in danger in the water when every second counts. It can operate in shallow waters, close to shore, cliffs and rocks, as well as handling challenging conditions in open sea.
Saturday’s Naming Ceremony and Service of Dedication was a special moment for the station and their supporters to officially welcome lifeboat B-949 Ralph into the RNLI fleet and onto station at Aldeburgh.
It was also a chance to give thanks for the generous bequest of Miss Joyce Powell, and to remember her longstanding support for the lifesaving community at Aldeburgh.
Joyce had lived and worked as a chartered accountant in London, but spent many June months over the years staying in Aldeburgh while attending the Benjamin Britten concerts at Snape Maltings. A passionate supporter of the arts and classical music, Joyce also grew her connection with the RNLI during this time.
On the 100th anniversary of the 1899 Aldeburgh lifeboat disaster, Joyce invited everyone from Aldeburgh RNLI to a centenary dinner, following the memorial services on 7 December 1999. Every table was decorated with three acorns, representing those that survivor Augustus Mann always carried in his pocket for good luck. All 50 volunteers at the dinner were presented with a stunning silver acorn charm, made from a custom-made mould that was never used again.
In a poignant moment during the ceremony, Joyce’s family returned her signed crew photograph from the 1999 dinner to the safe keeping of the Aldeburgh boathouse. It was accepted on behalf of the station by Andrew Harris, former lifeboat crew member and current treasurer, who attended that special event in 1999.
During the naming ceremony, Joyce’s nieces Karen, Tina and Michele handed B-949 Ralph into the care of the institution and spoke fondly of their aunt’s connection to Aldeburgh RNLI. They later officially named the lifeboat ‘in memory of our dear aunt, Miss Joyce Powell’.
‘Joyce had a long-held ambition to pay for and launch a lifeboat in her lifetime, but sadly this wasn’t to be. We’re proud to see Ralph launched today in her honour,’ the family said.
‘As for the name Ralph, it’s felt by her family that this comes from her early days in the 60s, when she was a student at Moscow University.’
Lifeboat Operations Manager Martin Quinn, who accepted the lifeboat from RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes on behalf of Aldeburgh RNLI, said: ‘It was the honour of everyone at Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station to welcome Ralph into the fleet, and personally thank Miss Powell’s family for her heartfelt dedication to our station and charity. I know that when the crews head out to sea, we’ll all have peace of mind that this lifeboat will help to keep them safe.’
ENDS
Photo credit
Attached photos credit: RNLI/Susie Potter
Notes to editor
Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station has been operating since 1826 and has been part of the RNLI since 1852.
The station has two inshore lifeboats on service: B class Atlantic 85 Ralph and D class Susan Scott.
You can read more about the legend of the lucky acorns here: https://rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2016/december/the-legacy-of-the-aldeburgh-acorns-how-one-lifeboatmans-superstition-lives-on
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