Preparations for a royal visit are underway at Trearddur Bay lifeboat station as Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteer crew, fundraisers and supporters in the Anglesey village get ready to welcome HRH Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton.
Credit/Copyright: RNLI
The royal couple will be guests of honour at the naming ceremony of the RNLI lifeboat station’s new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, Hereford Endeavour, on Thursday 24 February.
During the engagement Prince William and Miss Middleton will meet the charity’s volunteers and name the new lifeboat. The Hereford Endeavour will be launched during the ceremony as the crew demonstrate some of her rescue capabilities to the royal party and station guests.
Aubrey Diggle, Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ’It’s an honour to have Prince William and Miss Middleton at our naming ceremony. Naming a new lifeboat is always a special occasion for the charity where we can thank our supporters and fundraisers. Having the royal couple there will make the day even more memorable for the whole community.’
The lifeboat station at Trearddur Bay was first opened in 1967. Since then, RNLI volunteers have launched the lifeboat 873 times and saved 202 lives. In 1971, Helmsman John Burns and Crew Member Edmund Williams were awarded the RNLI’s Bronze Medal for rescuing two people from a capsized dinghy in treacherous sea conditions.
Christopher Pritchard, Senior Helmsman, said: ‘Having Prince William and Miss Middleton name our new lifeboat is especially significant to us. As Prince William is a pilot with the RAF Search and Rescue Force just down the road at RAF Valley, we also welcome him as a colleague who works with us to save lives at sea.’
The Atlantic 85 is the most advanced inshore lifeboat produced by the RNLI. She can reach speeds of up to 35 knots and is fitted with a radar system, radio direction finding equipment and a sophisticated chart plotter to aid search and rescue operations, particularly in low visibility. She will also be able to carry more casualties than her predecessor.
Paul Boissier, RNLI Chief Executive, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Prince William and Miss Middleton to Trearddur Bay and privileged to host one of their first engagements together. We have a proud history of royal patronage and are honoured that Prince William and Miss Middleton will be continuing that tradition.’
The RNLI is an independent charity, which relies on public donations in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Trearddur Bay’s new Atlantic 85 is the latest in a long tradition of lifeboats funded by the hard work of fundraisers and the generosity of the public.
Hereford Endeavour was funded by the local RNLI fundraising branch in Leominster and other fundraising branches across Herefordshire. Before the lifeboat was delivered to her new station, she made a special visit to Hereford Cathedral so that the members of Leominster branch could see the result of their hard work.
