Cardigan’s new lifeboat named (From Tivyside Advertiser)

Cardigan’s new lifeboat named

1:22pm Wednesday 8th July 2009

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A ceremony to dedicate Cardigan’s new RNLI lifeboat has been held at the Poppit lifeboat station.

The new D-class vessel was funded by the legacy of Mrs Elsie Ida Meade, of Sutton Coldfield, a lifetime supporter of the RNLI.

The £31,000 lifeboat was named Elsie Ida Meade by her grandson, Rupert Hall. The ceremony was also attended by Mrs Meade’s daughter Cheryl, who officially handed over the boat to the RNLI.

The new vessel is faster and more maneuverable than the station’s former D-class, which entered service in 1999.

The new RNLI lifeboat has already launched eight times since arriving on station in February and has already saved one life. Less than a fortnight after arriving, the new lifeboat was called into action to search for a missing fishing boat. It has since been launched to assist other fishing vessels, pleasure craft, a person on the rocks, an animal in trouble and to rescue a person drowning back in April.

Matt Crofts, RNLI deputy divisional inspector, said: "As a charity, the RNLI relies on voluntary donations and legacies for income and 60 per cent of our income comes from legacies. We are so grateful to Mrs Meade for remembering the RNLI and Cardigan in particular in her Will. Her legacy will live on saving lives at sea for many years to come."

He added: "The D-class lifeboat has been the workhorse of the RNLI fleet for over 40 years. Compared with her predecessor, the new lifeboat’s features include a more powerful electric start engine giving improved performance and a higher top speed of 25 knots. It is equipped with a GPS navigation system, VHF radio and many other features. The three man crew are trained in righting the lifeboat in the event of a capsize and the engine is inversion proof to give easy starting in the event of a capsize."

The new D class vessel will work along side the station’s current Atlantic 75 lifeboat Tanni Grey.

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