-
September 23, 2012
-
-
-
New Clacton lifeboat named by veteran broadcaster and former pirate
DJ Johnnie Walker
-
-
-
CLACTON'S new lifeboat has been officially named by veteran
broadcaster former pirate DJ Johnnie Walker.
-
Clacton RNLI's new Atlantic 85 lifeboat was named after the
station's former chairman David Porter, who died aged 80 in
December, at a special ceremony on Saturday, September 22.
-
More than 500 people turned out for the event, which included a
service of dedication by the station's chaplain, the Rev Dennis
Hart, as well as a fly past by the RAF Sea King search and rescue
helicopter, a demonstration launch of the lifeboat, the Harwich
Royal British Legion Pipe Band and the Kings German Artillery's
cannon.
-
The boat was officially named by Johnnie Walker, who broadcast from
Radio Caroline off the Tendring coastline from 1966 to 1968.
-
Johnnie said: "It was a really special day. It had been 45 years
since I was out on the North Sea.
-
"We were out there in both calm conditions and very rough
conditions, so it was very important to us that Clacton lifeboat was
standing by should anything go wrong.
-
"Because of that it was a real high spot in my life to be asked to
come and name the boat - I consider it a great honour."
-
The lifeboat has been funded thanks to the generosity of the people
of Clacton, who raised �180,000 towards the �204,000 cost of the
boat.
-
The new boat, which has radar and radio direction finding equipment,
will replace the station�s Atlantic 75, which is now 14 years old.
-
It is 28ft in length, can carry four crew and has a maximum speed of
35 knots, compared with the Atlantic 75 which had crew of three and
a top speed of 32 knots.
-
The boat was officially named the David Porter MPS, in recognition
of Mr Porter�s qualification as a pharmacist.
-
The naming ceremony was attended by RNLI deputy chairman Vicky
Wright, Clacton lifeboat chairman Richard Walker, retired lifeboat
operations manager Rob Smith and current operations manager David
Wells.
-
Mr Wells said: "It is very fitting to name the new boat after David
Porter. He was a Clacton man through and through and did so much to
raise money for the boat and the RNLI over the years.
-
"We have had the boat six weeks and it has already had seven service
calls, helping people in trouble on the sea.
-
"We would like to thank the people of Clacton and the Eastern region
who generously donated money to the fund for the new lifeboat."
-
Photos:
-
Clacton RNLI naming ceremony 1: Johnnie Walker on board Clacton
RNLI�s new Atlantic 85 lifeboat, the David Porter MPS.
|
