AN EARLY Christmas present was delivered to the life-saving crew at Cleethorpes RNLI in the shape of a new lifeboat.
The James Burgess II was launched for the first time from the Brighton Slipway station following a £40,000 donation to the charity by generous Ashley Burgess, in memory of his son, James.
And while the crew were thrilled to receive the new inshore lifeboat, its arrival signalled the end of an era for the station as it will replace the iconic D-618 Blue Peter VI, which has been saving lives in Cleethorpes for almost 20 years.
Operations manager for Cleethorpes RNLI, Jack Barlow, said: "It is a brilliant boat, it goes far better than the old one and we are so grateful for Mr Burgess' kind donation.
"I am sure it will be just as successful as Blue Peter VI, which was sad to say goodbye to. It served us and the people of Cleethorpes well so it felt a little nostalgic when it went."
Blue Peter VI was one of seven boats to be funded by the children's television programme's Pieces Of Eight appeal, which raised money for RNLI stations around the country.
The original arrived in 1994 but was replaced ten years later due to general wear and tear. In that time she has been launched 480 times and rescued hundreds of people.
Mr Barlow continued: "The old boat was getting tired; it went out every week on rescue jobs as well as general training. We got some good use out of it."
Mr Burgess, from Malton, in North Yorkshire, is a private person and does not want personal publicity for his donation to the station, which was made in memory of his son.
He did not attend the launch, but is expected to visit the boat in January and an official naming ceremony will be held in April.
It is the second inshore lifeboat he has funded. The first was called James Burgess, an Atlantic class lifeboat and was given to a station in Walmer, Kent, in 1993.
The RNLI is dependent on donations and by having the boat bought in one lump sum, it frees up money for vital training and exercises to enhance the crew's lifesaving skills.
Crew member Kelly Blackburn said: "We were so pleased to receive the new boat. We rely entirely on donations so this will allow us to spend money on training and equipment. It is such a generous thing to do.
"The Blue Peter is an iconic boat. As a kid growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, Blue Peter was huge and I remember the appeal and how much it meant.
"It is sad to say goodbye to the boat, but then I am very sentimental. She had a good innings and we are looking forward to using James Burgess II."
Cleethorpes RNLI station chairman Andrew Dalrymple added: "The James Burgess II will continue this lifesaving work, manned by the dedicated volunteer crew."
