Special Christening Ceremony
Redcar's new D class lifeboat has been officially named Jacky Hunsley on Saturday 19 April 2008.

Jacky Hunsley died in a tragic coach accident while on holiday in South Africa in September 1999. A long-time supporter of the RNLI, she left the charity a share of her estate to support the lifeboat service on the North Yorkshire coast. As well as funding the £29,000 IB1 D class lifeboat, her legacy paid for an IT upgrade and crew training at Redcar for five years.

Jacky’s sister, Pauline Jackson, named the lifeboat Jacky Hunsley in memory of her sister and officially handed it over to the RNLI during Saturday’s ceremony and service of dedication. She was joined in Redcar by around 80 of Jacky’s family and friends, including former colleagues from BT in Leeds where Jacky worked for many years.

Pauline said: ‘Jacky was a very special person and it’s wonderful to know this lifeboat which bears her name is helping to save lives at sea. It’s a testimony to the person she was that so many friends want to come along and see Jacky’s lifeboat being named on what I’m sure will be a very moving day for us all.’

Gilbert Gray, QC, Vice President of the RNLI, formally accepted the lifeboat from Pauline Jackson on behalf of the RNLI. He then placed it in the care of Redcar Lifeboat Station.

Jacky Hunsley went into service at Redcar in August 2007 and since then has been involved in 7 services. Dave Cammish, Redcar RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said the lifeboat has already proved her worth.

He added: ‘Our new D class lifeboat is faster and more manoeuvrable than her predecessor and is a great asset to the RNLI’s sea rescue operations on the North East coast. As a charity, the RNLI relies on the generosity of people like Jacky Hunsley to provide the lifeboats, equipment and training we need to carry on saving lives at sea.

‘Everyone at Redcar lifeboat station is very much looking forward to meeting Jacky Hunsley’s family and friends and to showing them just how grateful we are for Jacky’s wonderful legacy.’

The naming ceremony was sponsored by Corus Teesside Cast Products. Jon Bolton, Managing Director, said: "We are delighted to be supporting this special occasion. Several of our employees and contractors are volunteer crew of the Redcar lifeboats and this is a way of recognising their community involvement."

Redcar RNLI lifeboat station has a longstanding connection with the people of West Yorkshire. From 1951 to 1965 the City of Leeds lifeboat, bought after a fundraising appeal in the city, was operational in Redcar. And, in the late 19th century, the lifeboat Emma, named after Mrs Emma Dawson of Weston Hall in Otley, was stationed in the town.

Click here to see the Order of Service.

Click the links below for some of the media coverage.

Evening Gazette
Northern Echo
BBC
Yorkshire Post

First published 19 April 2008