RNLI welcomed RNLB Chris & Jo West to Clacton at official naming ceremony

Saturday’s Naming Ceremony and Service of Dedication was a special moment for the station and their supporters to officially welcome lifeboat 13-52 ‘RNLB Chris & Jo West’ into the RNLI fleet and onto the station at Clacton. The well-attended event which hosted Essex Deputy Lord Lieutenant Nigel Spencer, Janet Legrand MBE/RNLI Chair, representatives of the donor families and with all our volunteers on a day full of pride and excitement.

It was a chance to give thanks for the generous legacy donations of Chris and Jo West, Mrs Diane Judith Foxley and Mr and Mrs Norman Bassett who contributed to the Shannon lifeboat and SLAR’s launch and recovery system.

Mr and Mrs West, who owned and ran two successful businesses were taking a cruise around the British Isles, when laid up in Tobermory due to very rough sea conditions. During this time, both Chris and Jo watched as RNLI volunteer crews launched twice to aid vessels, braving treacherous conditions. So impressed were they that it was decided there and then that they would a leave a legacy to the RNLI.

During the naming ceremony, close family friend Andrew Coombe handed the lifeboat, affectionately coined by Andrew as ‘the whopper’ into the care of the institution to RNLI Chair Janet Legrand MBE, and spoke warmly of their family’s connection to Clacton and Cleethorpes RNLI.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Carlo Bardetti, who took ownership of the lifeboat on behalf of Clacton RNLI, said: ‘It was the honour of everyone at Clacton Lifeboat Stationto welcome ‘Chris and Jo West’ into the fleet, and personally thank the donor families for their 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.’

After a short service of dedication led by Father Matthew Simpkins of local St James church, which saw hearty singing from everyone involved, Carlo Bardetti accompanied nephew of Chris and Jo West, Alex West to the deck of the Shannon where the donors’ favourite champagne was poured onto the bow making the naming official.

Rapturous applause and three loud cheers were heard from the crews, guests and our supporters.

At 1.52pm the crew pagers sounded, and our volunteers donned their lifesaving equipment and boarded 13-52 Chris and Jo West once again and treated all involved to a demonstration of the launch, unique Shannon capabilities and recovery safely back to the station.

All guests were then invited into the lifeboat station for light refreshments.

Press officer and Lifeboat Chair for RNLI Clacton said ‘On behalf of all of us at RNLI Clacton we would like to thank everyone for making this day such a success. It is both awe inspiring and humbling to hear the stories from our generous donors on how they were inspired by our volunteer crews.’

‘As chair of the lifeboat station, I am immensely proud of all our volunteers and how they continue to build upon the long history of RNLI Clacton’s lifesaving legacy, through their hard work, dedication and community spirit. We shall treasure this new lifeboat knowing that it will protect our crews whilst they do what they do best, saving lives at sea.’

We would also like to thank The Tendring Male voice choir for their musical contribution, Grandma Lilly’s Tea Room for the delicious food supplied, Alfie Scott Video for recording the event, our local Tendring District councillors and Clacton Jet ski Club for all their help.

Notes to the Editor

• Since entering service in March 2025, the Shannon class all weather lifeboat has served`

• Clacton-on-Sea RNLI volunteers on many training exercises and rescue missions, including 2,380 hours of crew training, 18 launches assisting 15 people.

• The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea.

• The charity relies on donations.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact:

Mark Walsham, RNLI Clacton volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07468511158, or [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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