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She's a tiger! So says Penlee coxswain Neil Brockman who says the crew
is "over the moon" about the new state-of-the-art lifeboat,
"Ivan Ellen." His comments came at the official naming ceremony
at Newlyn Harbour on Tuesday when 500 people gathered to wish the boat
God-speed and to see it handed over to the RNLI crew.
"She's a tiger!" he said over the microphone as the keys were
presented to him. "It's the best present we could have had. The whole
crew are absolutely over the moon."
The port was resplendent for Tuesday's ceremony. RNLI flags flew over
the fish harbour, a military band from HMS Seahawk at Culdrose played
traditional sea ditties and naval officers, civic dignitaries, clergy,
sea cadets and crewmen gathered on the quay.
They were joined by a huge crowd of supporters and onlookers, who braved
a bitter east wind to join in the hymns, prayers and blessings - all wishing
the boat and her crew the very best of luck.
The naming ceremony was performed by Lorna Leech, whose late parents,
Ivan and Ellen Leech left their £10 million fortune to the RNLI.
Miss Leech broke a bottle of champagne over the boat and simply named
her the "Ivan Ellen."
Her brother, John Leech, who was a former RNLI employee, was also present
for the ceremony. He had worked for the charity in the port 22 years ago
in the aftermath of the Penlee lifeboat disaster.
"We are very happy that this wonderful lifeboat should have come
to the Penlee Station in Newlyn," he said.
"As a family we asked for a new lifeboat to come to the South West
and I am so pleased that this beautiful boat has come to Cornwall and
Penlee because the hearts of people all over the country go out to them."
It was largely due to Mr Leech's enthusiasm for the RNLI that inspired
his father, who had lived in Minehead and made his fortune in the cotton
industry, to include the charity in his will.
Tom Mansell, deputy divisional inspector of lifeboats, told Tuesday's
gathering that the Ivan Ellen, was a top-of-the-range Severn class lifeboat
and cost £2 million. She has an official top speed of 25 knots -
seven knots faster than her predecessor, the Mabel Alice and will carry
a crew of six.
The Ivan Ellen is the 1,265th boat to have entered the RNLI service since
the launch of the Grey Starling in 1884.
She arrived in the port in March for crew training and has since responded
to nine "shouts".
article copyright © THE CORNISHMAN
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