Shoreham RNLI inshore lifeboat officially named

The Shoreham inshore lifeboat was officially named by the family who donated at a ceremony on Saturday 23 April.

The D-class rigid inflatable lifeboat, which arrived on station in June 2015, was named in memory of the late Joan Woodland. The Woodland family donated the lifeboat. Her son David Woodland named the craft and poured champagne over it before officially handing it over to Shoreham Lifeboat Station coxswain Steve Smith.

Rev Jonathan French from St Michael and All Angels Church Southwick blessed the boat, and the crew presented the family with framed photos of the new inshore lifeboat.

The inshore lifeboat then launched from the boathouse slipway watched by the guests. The all weather lifeboat later launched carrying members of the donor family on board who watched alongside the capabilities of the inshore lifeboat.

Powered by a 50hp outboard motor, the D-class lifeboat can sustain a top speed of 25 knots at sea for three hours. In the event of capsize, the boat can be re-righted by the crew and the engine can be restarted. It is kitted out with everything the crews need to locate and assist the casualties who need their help.

Coxswain Steve Smith said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the Woodland family who have supported Shoreham lifeboat station over many years.

“Their generosity has provided us with two inshore lifeboats, the Barry Lazell named after Joan’s late son-in-law in 2005 and now the Joan Woodland named after Joan in 2015.”