Workington RNLI has officially named its new lifeboat at a special ceremony.
The James R Allan is the station’s inshore lifeboat and named after its late benefactor.
At a ceremony on Saturday, crew, fundraisers, supporters, local dignitaries and representatives of Professor James R Allan gathered for the official naming.
Prof Allan set up a trust in 1998 and has funded six RNLI vessels.
Passionate about the RNLI, he died in 2019 and Workington’s lifeboat was the last to be funded by the trust.
The audience heard from his friend, Alan Reid, in an emotional speech, before he handed the lifeboat into the care of the RNLI.
Jo Partner, head of region, accepted the boat on behalf of the charity which saves lives at sea, before presenting it to John Thompson, lifeboat operations manager at Workington RNLI.
It was officially named by Prof Allan’s friend Nigel Baird, who poured the locally-produced Whistling Pig pilsner, from the Tractor Shed Brewery, over the bow – in lieu of the traditional Champagne.
Whistling Pig had been generously donated by Tractor Shed for the ceremony.
Father Robert Hannaford and the Rev Dom de Mattos led a service of dedication.
Following the ceremony, guests had the chance to see the new lifeboat in action, crewed by Fiona McKay, Ian Cormack, Karl Fowler and Josh Reid.
Sea and army cadets acted as marshals at the event and Workington Town Band provided the music.
Volunteer Michael Cowling was also presented with a long-service medal by Ms Guest as part of the ceremony.
Michael has spent 20 years volunteering with the RNLI and undertaken a variety of roles.
John Thompson, lifeboat operations manager, said: “The naming ceremony was a very special occasion for all the volunteers at Workington RNLI and it is one we will never forget.
“We would like to give our sincere thanks to Prof Allan and his representatives for their generosity to the RNLI.
“Prof Allan’s legacy will live on in every rescue and every life saved at sea.
“With our new lifeboat, James R Allan, we are better equipped than ever to continue our vital mission along the coast, saving lives at sea.”
