IN Cappa last Saturday, well-known marine correspondent Tom MacSweeney officially named the new Kilrush RNLI Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Edith Louise Eastwick at the lifeboat station. Tom named the lifeboat in memory of the mother of the late Baroness Marjorie Von Schlippenbach.
The Atlantic 85 lifeboat was built at a cost of €185,000. It has a number of improvements from the Atlantic 75, Kilrush’s former lifeboat, including a faster top speed of 35 knots; radar; provision for a fourth crew member and more space for survivors. It can operate safely in daylight in up to force seven conditions and at night up to force six. It also allows lifeboat crews to respond even faster in emergencies.
Baroness Von Schlippenbach passed away in April 2003 and left the funds necessary to provide an Atlantic lifeboat to be named in memory of her mother, Edith Louise Eastwick. The baroness published several books on Spanish history and culture during her lifetime. Although she lived in Malaga for over 50 years, as a child she had lived in Eastbourne, where a lifeboat which had been funded by her mother’s friend, Miss Beryl Tollemache, was on service. The baroness had felt that this was a lovely way to commemorate her beloved mother, who would often tell her about the work of the RNLI whenever they saw her friend’s lifeboat outside the boathouse.
Sadly, lifeboat volunteer crew member Father Michael Collins was unable to attend the ceremony as he is studying in America but the lifeboat crew rigged up a special web camera at the lifeboat station so Father Michael could watch the ceremony from the USA. He had also written a special blessing for the service.
John Lambe, lifeboat operations manager, who accepted the lifeboat on behalf of Kilrush RNLI lifeboat station at the ceremony, said he appreciated the gesture.
“We are extremely grateful to Baroness Von Schlippenbach for her generosity in funding our new lifeboat and to Tom MacSweeney for officially naming her Edith Louise Eastwick. On behalf on the lifeboat crew, station management and fundraisers here in Kilrush, I offer our sincere thanks. This lifeboat is the vessel that will carry our volunteer lifeboat crew out to sea to save lives and on it, they will learn and develop their skills through extensive training,” he said.
Tom MacSweeney travelled with his wife, Kathleen, from their home in Cork for the occasion.
In his address, Tom paid tribute to the RNLI volunteers.
“There’s no greater gift that anybody can give than that of saving life. I was told once by a lifeboat man that the gift they get is to see somebody come safely up the pier after they have rescued them. And on an occasion like that, what greater gift can lifeboat people give to someone else than to save a life? May Edith Louise Eastwick go on service, save life, perform many successful rescues and most important of all may she bring many people ashore and may her crews always return safely,” he said.
A crowd of well wishers turned up to see the lifeboat named including Helen Beven who named the last Kilrush RNLI lifeboat. A native of Clare, Mrs Beven has funded a lifeboat in the UK.
A special certificate was also presented to Kilrush RNLI by the Mayor of Clare, Councillor Christy Curtin, on behalf of Clare County Council in recognition of the significant contribution that Kilrush RNLI has made to rescue and safety in the area.