Hundreds at the blessing of Caister Lifeboat's £1.6m vessel

Caister Lifeboat's campaign to see in their new Medina-class boat continues as the blessing service invited the deputy Lord Lieutenant and other dignitaries on Sunday.

As well as the new boat's blessing, the crew unveiled the list of all the people who donated more than £25 to the ongoing 'Keep the Boat Afloat' campaign.

Caister Lifeboat chairman Paul Garrod (right) with deputy Norfolk Lord Lieutenant Louis Baugh. (Image: James Weeds) Coxswain Guy Gibson said it was a "momentous occasion" and the new lifeboat is almost ready to begin service.

"We're incredibly pleased with the boat," he said. 

"We've been carrying out exercises regularly and all that's left is a few night launches. We expect her to be in action in the next four weeks."

Caister Lifeboat coxswain Guy Gibson by the barbecue for the event. (Image: James Weeds) Once the new vessel is ready for service, the lifeboat station will sell its current craft, the Bernard Matthews II.

Lifeboat chairman Paul Garrod said the ceremony was a proud day for the village, the borough and the county.

"We couldn't have done this without all the generosity of the public, our crew and volunteers," he said.

"We'd like to say a great thanks to everyone who came down."

The new Medina-class boat is yet to be named but is expected to begin service later this summer. (Image: James Weeds) Visiting the village from Brightlingsea, Essex, Catherine Birnie and her family began scanning the names listed on the hull before coming across that of her late husband, Roy.

"He loved coming to Caister and he would have loved to have known his name was here," said Mrs Birnie.

"Roy passed in April 2022 and we knew we wanted to celebrate his life with something that would also assist a lifeboat service. And Roy loved Caister so much, it was an easy choice to make.

"It fills us with pride to see his name here."

Catherine Birnie (centre) with her grandsons, Max and Teddy. (Image: James Weeds) Plans are in action for the official naming ceremony - which will be awarded to the largest donor of the lifeboat station's campaign. However, details have yet to be announced.

For more information, visit www.caisterlifeboat.org.uk/keep-the-boat-afloat

Inside the cockpit of Caister Lifeboat's new Medina-class vessel. (Image: James Weeds)