The fourth of the new 13m Shannon class lifeboat formally began her service with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) when she was named and dedicated at a ceremony at the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset on 17 July 2014 in glorious sunshine, in front of an audience of the lifesaving charity’s staff, volunteers and supporters.
The new lifeboat was named Storm Rider and will serve in the Relief Fleet, going round the country to serve at stations while their own lifeboat is away undergoing maintenance and refit work. Teenager Rachel Fairhurst, 14, had the honour of naming the new craft, having won a competition to choose the name of the latest Shannon. This is the first time that a competition winner has named an RNLI lifeboat.
