Today in Leicester saw the naming ceremony of the D Class D-715 Leicester Tiger Lifeboat
There was also a Service of Dedication for that boat and the D Class D-742 Lifeboat to be named in the spring, at her new station, Port St Mary, Isle of Man. It will be named Spirit of Leicester.
The funds to pay for the lifeboats were raised by The Leicester Branch of the RNLI Lifeboats.
The RNLI flags fly at Leicester City Town Hall
The New RNLI Lifeboat Leicester Tigers D-715
Length 4.95m Beam 2m Displacement 338kg Crew 3 Endurance 3 hours at 25 knots
Construction FRC Structure with hypalon coated polyester boat fabric
The D class IB1 carries a similar equipment fit to that of her predecessors but the internal layout has been totally redesigned and makes much improved use of space. Equipment is more accessible and the job of the crew is therefore eased. One major innovation is the fitting of a GPS plotter that assists in the navigation of the vessel.
The vessel is powered by an electric start 50 hp outboard engine giving it a top speed in reasonable weather of 25 knots. The engine has improved acceleration and responsiveness and can be re-started quickly in the event of a capsize.
The IB1 was designed and developed by the RNLI at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre, located in East Cowes, Isle of Whight. Testing has been rigorous both at East Cowes and at various locations around the coast of the UK and the Republic of Ireland. This process ensures that as many volunteer crews as possible have the opportunity to comment on the design and that the vessel is tested in a variety of different sea conditions . It is vital that vessels meet the requirements of the coast and crews have confidence in them.
The Service was held outside
Leicester City Town Hall
Chairman of Leicester Branch of The RNLI
(left) Mr Ben Kay MBE Leicester Tigers Rugby Club
Major John Ager of the Salvation Army
The Lord Mayor of Leicester Councillor Colin Hall
The Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, Dean of Leicester
The Lord Mayor of Leicester Councillor Colin Hall
welcomes all.
Mr Ben Kay MBE of Leicester Tiger Rugby Club
The Naming Ceremony of the D Class D-715 Leicester Tiger and Service of Dedication of the D Class D-742 at Leicester Town Hall Square today at 12.45pm.
The service of Dedication for the lifeboats was led by Major John Ager of the Salvation Army.
Readings and Address was given by The Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, Dean of Leicester.
Stephen Gamble, Leicester RNLI Branch Committee Member and Lay Reader dedicated The Lifeboat Leicester Tiger.
The Lifeboat Spirit of Leicester was dedicated by The Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, Dean of Leicester.
For over 145 years the people of Leicester and Leicestershire have supported the Leicester Branch in providing lifeboats for the RNLI.
1865 -1870 Leicester was stationed at Gorleston number 1 station and then went to Thorpness and Skegness. Launched once, saved 8 lives.
1870 -1833 Leicester 2 was stationed at Gorleston number 1 station. Launched 45 times, saved 114 lives.
1883 - 1894 Leicester 2 was stationed at Gorleston number 2 Station.
1894 - 1923 Leicester 3 was stationed at Gorleston number 2 Station. Launched 72 times, saved 89 lives.
Leicester funded Gorleston no 1 station.
1932 - 1985 A Boarding Boat City of Leicester was stationed at Walton on the Naze.
1987 The D Class Leicester Schools was stationed at Happisburgh.
1990 The Atlantic 21 Class Leicester Challenge was stationed at Redcar.
1991 Two Caterpillar Diesel Engines for the Spirit of Derbyshire were stationed at Ilfracombe.
1994 The D Class Leicester Fox was stationed at Skegness.
2002 The Atlantic 75 Class Leicester Challenge II was stationed at Redcar.
2002 The D Class Leicester Fox II was stationed at Skegness.
2003 The Atlantic 75 Class Pride of Leicester was stationed at Staithes and Runswick.
2007 / 08 The D Class Leicester Tiger for the Relief Fleet.
2008 /09 The D Class Spirit of Leicester for Port St Mary, Isle of Man.
At the present moment the Leicestershire Branch has provided the RNLI with 11 lifeboats, and one boarding boat, as well as supplying two Caterpillar Diesel Engines for the Spirit of Derbyshire stationed at Ilfracombe and extra helmets for the crew at Rock. The Leicestershire Branch also supports the RNLI general fund.
There are 235 lifeboat stations strategically placed around the ROL and UK.
Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews, and since 2001, its lifeguards, have saved over 139,000 lives.
The RNLI has over 330 lifeboats at its stations, ranging from 5m to 17m in length.
This fleet enables the lifeboat service to reach at least 90 per cent of all casualties within 10 nautical miles of lifeboat station within 30 minutes of launch in all weathers and out to a maximum of 100 nautical miles. RNLI Lifeboats on the Thames aim to get 95 per cent of reported casualties within 15 minutes of notification.
Royal National Lifeboat Institution,
West Quay Road,
Poole,
Dorset,
BH15 1HZ
Tel: 0845 122 6999
www.rnli.org.uk
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
