Hundreds at lifeboat naming ceremony

The new Lytham St Annes lifeboat Barbara Anne was officially named and dedicated in a ceremony at the RNLI boathouse on St Annes Promenade.
Official lifeboat naming ceremony in St AnnesOfficial lifeboat naming ceremony in St Annes
Official lifeboat naming ceremony in St Annes

Michael Vlasto, retired former operations director of the RNLI, did the naming honours before coxswain Gary Bird and mechanic Martin Jaggs poured Champagne over the bow of the £2.2m Shannon craft.

It has been named after an RNLI supporter from Winchester whose bequest covered much of its cost.

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The station’s £48,000 inshore lifeboat MOAM was also officially named by Mr Vlasto’s wife Helen, while both craft were dedicated by Rev Anne Wood, vicar of St John’s Church, Lytham.

Official naming ceremony for  the Barbara AnneOfficial naming ceremony for  the Barbara Anne
Official naming ceremony for the Barbara Anne

Mr Vlasto also handed over a birthday cake to station president Allan Williams who was celebrating his 90th birthday.

Lytham St Annes RNLI spokesman David Forshaw said: “A large crowd watched from outside while there were around 300 guests in the boathouse.”

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