Bangor RNLI names new lifeboat Ruby Robinson

The event coincided with Bangor RNLI’s 60^th anniversary.

The lifeboat which went on service in June last year was funded by a legacy from Dennis Filby from Norfolk in England. His family members Richard and Jason Clarke who were in attendance, and the family had the honour of officially naming the new lifeboat at the end of the ceremony.

The youngest in a family of six, Mr Filby was known as an unassuming man who loved country life. He worked for Ruby Robinson and her husband on their farm in Hingham, Norfolk and Mrs Robinson invited Dennis to become Farm Manager after Mr Robinson died. This was on a smaller farm in Hilborough, Norfolk. He ran the farm until he died in 2019. It was therefore his wishes to leave the majority of his estate to fund a lifeboat to be named Ruby Robinson in her memory.

During the ceremony, Richard and Jason Clarke, representing the donor’s family handed the lifeboat into the care of the charity. RNLI Trustee Paddy McLaughlin accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI before handing it into the care of Bangor Lifeboat Station.

Captain Byron Griffiths, Lifeboat Operations Manager, accepted the lifeboat on behalf of Bangor RNLI and during his speech, said the volunteer team were looking forward to writing a new chapter in the station’s history.

‘As Lifeboat Operations Manager’ he said, ‘it is my responsibility to authorise the lifeboats launch when requested, and to send a message to the crew asking them to get to the station as quickly as possible, and sometimes in weather conditions which are very inclement and where others would be returning home. The Atlantic 85 is the third generation B Class lifeboat to be built. Capable of speeds up to around 35 knots. Fast, manoeuvrable, agile and versatile. The Atlantic 85 has all the qualities of its predecessors, and more. It is ideally suited to rescues close to the shore, yet it can also withstand challenging conditions in open sea, making it an exemplary search and rescue craft, particularly in the Belfast Lough area, over which we proudly offer our services.’

Mr Griffiths went on to highlight one such rescue already carried by the Ruby Robinson which resulted in a life saved. Four volunteers including Helm Russell McGovern, navigator John Bell and crew members David Beale and Johnny Gedge have all since been recognised with an RNLI commendation for their efforts.

‘At 8.50pm on the 9 September last year,’ Mr Griffiths explained, ‘HM Coastguard paged the crew of Bangor lifeboat and requested a launch to search for a missing dinghy sailor. This involved carrying out a search of Bangor and Ballyholme bays in moderate westerly winds which created challenging conditions for the inshore search. After about an hour, the crew heard faint cries for help and the casualty was located near a headland with his dinghy secured to a lobster pot marker buoy. The casualty had no means of communication or illumination and was wearing dark clothing making his location difficult to establish. The casualty was rescued and brought ashore to safety.’

Reverend Willis Cordner and Deacon James McAllister lead the congregation in the Service of Dedication that followed during which the lifeboat was officially named Ruby Robinson. The gathered crowd of well-wishers including family and friends of the station, watched as a bottle of champagne was poured over the side of the lifeboat before it launched at the end of the ceremony.

The Ruby Robinson replaces the Jessie Hillyard, which was used to save lives at sea by the shores of Belfast Lough for almost 18 years.

Bangor RNLI was established in May 1965 and since then has been served by three different classes of lifeboat. A D class lifeboat was placed on service first, followed by an Atlantic 21 class lifeboat in 1988, ahead of the latest class, the Atlantic 85 arriving in 2006. Today’s dedication of Ruby Robinson establishes her as the eighth lifeboat to be stationed in Bangor.

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