New inshore lifeboat is delivered to Bridlington RNLI after supporter’s generous legacy

The Yorkshire Coast has welcomed a new lifeboat.
The new inshore lifeboat is delivered to Bridlington RNLI.The new inshore lifeboat is delivered to Bridlington RNLI.
The new inshore lifeboat is delivered to Bridlington RNLI.

The D-Class inshore lifeboat has been bought for Bridlington RNLI thanks to money left in the will of a supporter of the charity.

Ernest Wellings, who lived in Grantham and was originally from Worthing, was a keen pledger to the RNLI and left a share of his residual estate for the provision of a lifeboat when he died in March 2017.

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In recognition of this generous legacy, the new inshore lifeboat D-852 will be officially named the Ernie Wellings.

The new lifeboat will be named after the man who donated the funds to buy it in his will.The new lifeboat will be named after the man who donated the funds to buy it in his will.
The new lifeboat will be named after the man who donated the funds to buy it in his will.

A naming ceremony will take place when coronavirus restrictions allow.

The new lifeboat is a highly manoeuvrable craft, able to perform rescues in shallow waters and close to harbour walls and rocks.

This enables the volunteer crew to provide lifesaving assistance in areas where the larger all-weather lifeboat is unable to access.

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Bridlington’s former inshore lifeboat, the Windsor Spirit, has served the RNLI for over 10 years and is now likely to be used as a part of the RNLI’s reserve fleet or in training exercises at the RNLI College in Poole.

Bridlington RNLI Station mechanic Chris Brompton said: “Our inshore lifeboat is a key part of our operation here at Bridlington.

“We launched the D-Class lifeboat a total of 16 times in 2020 and we’re very grateful to have a new one to ensure we can continue to provide this lifesaving coverage.

“Our volunteer crew would like to extend their thanks to the family of Mr Wellings for this gift in his will.”

If you would like to learn more about how leaving money in your will can help the RNLI visit rnli.org/support-us/give-money/leave-a-gift-in-your-will.