RNLI Poole’s new boathouse, and boat

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution) (RNLI) commissioned its new floating Boathouse at Poole on June 23 and named its latest inshore inflatable D class, the D-804 Gladys Maud Burton.

The boat is named after Gladys Maud Burton, who lived locally in Lilliput, and died in February 2010 aged 100. Gladys lived by the sea all her life and admired the RNLI and by all accounts she was a ‘formidable’ lady, and altruistic, she left a generous bequest to Poole Lifeboat Station that was used to fund the D class that bears her name and to help fund the new floating boathouse.

Escorted by the 1st Lilliput Sea Scouts , Poole Sea cadets and Poole Sea Scouts the distinguished guests, her Majesty’s representative the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell, Sir Robert Syms MP and the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Sean Gabriel took their seats on the floating barge alongside crew , their families, volunteers past and present, representatives from flanking stations, Poole Coastguard, Poole Marine Police and other agencies, amongst guests who all help and support the station in some small way.

Poole Lifeboat chaplain, Reverend Lucy Holt led the assembled crowd in a service of dedication and then Mr Tim Sharpley, representing the late Gladys was invited to name the lifeboat, in the age old tradition of pouring champagne on the bow. The ‘christening’ of boats goes back to ancient times where Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians all held ceremonies to ask the gods to protect sailors. Glen Mallen Lifesaving Manager accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI then handed it into the care of Poole Lifeboat Station; Paul Glatzel, Lifeboat Operations Manager accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the station.