A LEGACY from a popular British actor has helped to fund Fenit RNLI’s new inshore lifeboat. The lifeboat is being named Lizzie in memory of Liz Frazer this coming Sunday at 3pm, in a ceremony at the Fenit Lifeboat Station with the public being invited to attend.

The lifeboat is being named by Jan Bolt, the station’s admin officer and wife to the late station mechanic Bob Bolt.

Liz Fraser, who was born in Southwark in 1930 was a well-known and much-loved British actor, starring in roles on stage and screen over a career spanning decades.

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From her early TV work in Dixon of Dock Green, and Hancock’s Half Hour to four Carry On films to a final performance at the age of 87, in a role on the popular English crime drama, Midsomer Murders, Liz’s work was loved and seen by many.

Her wish to fund a lifeboat in her name will now see a Kerry lifeboat station become the permanent home for her kind legacy.

Gerard O’Donnell, Fenit RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: “We are honoured to be the recipients of this incredible legacy. The arrival of a new lifeboat at a station is always a source of great joy and celebration but there is also a sadness that the person who made it possible is not here to witness it.  We thank Ms. Fraser for her lifesaving donation and for bringing a touch of showbusinesses to Kerry. We will do our best to honour this gift and to pay tribute to our donor with every callout the lifeboat crew carry out.”

It will be a poignant day for the station with Jan Bolt, the wife of the late station mechanic Bob Bolt naming the lifeboat.

The D-class lifeboat was first introduced into the RNLI fleet in 1963 and the design of the inflatable lifeboat continues to evolve to meet changes in demand and technology.

The inshore lifeboat is highly manoeuvrable and usually operates closer to shore than the all-weather lifeboats.

Its strength is in searches and rescues in the surf, shallow water, and confined locations – often working close to cliffs, among rocks and even inside caves. Importantly it can also be righted manually by the crew in the event of capsize.

The D class has a maximum speed of 25 knots and can carry three crew members and five survivors. Its communications and navigation equipment include a fitted and hand-held VHF radio, magnetic compass, and an onboard global positioning system (GPS) plotter.

Music at the ceremony will be provided by Tralee Pipe Band, Oidreacht manged by Michelle O’’Sullivan and the Fenit National School Choir.

The volunteer crew of Fenit RNLI responded to a call for assistance by Valentia Coast Guard at approximately 5.12pm on Sunday when concerns were raised for a windsurfer in the Maharees Islands area near Castlegregory.

Fenit RNLI launched its ALB (all weather lifeboat) with a full crew on board the vessel.

The Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 based in Shannon also attended the scene. The search was co-ordinated by the Valentia Coast Guard.

A search of the area was underway when notification was received that the windsurfer had safely made his way ashore.

Finbarr O’Connell, Fenit Lifeboat coxswain commented that “Fenit RNLI are delighted with a safe and positive outcome for all concerned. As always this is an opportunity to remind all users of the sea to be as prepared as possible when going to sea. The RNLI is a 24/7/365 service and we encourage people to be familiar with the emergency services number of 999 or 112 and ask to the Coast Guard and to never be afraid to call for the service if any concerns exist”.

Fenit RNLI Lifeboat was called out seven times in the past week in what has been a particularly busy spell for the service.

The most recent callout was last night when concerns were raised after an object was seen near the coast at Ballyheigue Beach.

The volunteer crew of Fenit RNLI responded with full efficiency to partake in the search for unidentified items near the coast off Ballyheigue Beach last night following a call by concerned member of the public.

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Both the Fenit All Weather Lifeboat with a full crew and it’s Inshore Lifeboat launched at approximately 10.30pm.

The crew arrived at the area and a search was conducted. Following a search of the area the item was found to be the remains of a fishing item.

The previous call outs in the past week ranged from being called to assist surfers potentially in danger, towing a number of vessels back safely to various harbours in North and West Kerry, assisting a large vessel which ran aground, providing a safety escort for a number of swimmers who carried out a fundraising event for Fenit RNLI last Saturday morning.

On all occasions any people in possible danger were returned to port safely. Fenit Lifeboat are reminding people to be as safe as possible and to be as prepared as possible when going to sea and if there is ever any doubt whatsoever about any persons safety to either dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

For more advice on how to float and other water safety advice visit RespectTheWater.com

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Fenit RNLI Lifeboat saved the lives of four people responding to a late night mayday call for assistance in Tralee Bay.

The volunteer crew of Fenit RNLI responded with full efficiency to the call following an urgent request for assistance by the Irish Coastguard late on Saturday night.

Urgent assistance was required for a speedboat carrying four people which was taking in water very quickly.

The vessel was approximately 1.5 miles west of Samphire Lighthouse, located in Tralee Bay. The boat had left Castlegregory earlier and was on its way to Fenit Harbour when the incident occurred.

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The All Weather Lifeboat with a full crew arrived at the scene within a very short time.

There were four people on the pleasure boat who were assessed very quickly and were in a position to transfer from the vessel onto the lifeboat safely and securely by the crew.

At that time the vessel was partially submerged in water but with those rescued being cared for on the lifeboat, the crew were in a position to attach a tow rope and bring the vessel back to Fenit Harbour as part of the rescue.

The lifeboat and all persons returned to Fenit just after midnight on Sunday morning.

The relief at the outcome of the callout was very evident amongst the those rescued and crew when all involved walked up the gangway leading from the lifeboat to the station.

Lifeboat Operations Manager, Gerard O’Donnell commenting on the rescue said; “we are extremely pleased with the outcome of the rescue. Those rescued are safe and well which is the RNLI mission firstly. The rescue was executed effectively and efficiently and from an operational point of view this is what the RNLI is all about. This rescue was in fact the collaboration between a number of the rescue and emergency services and the outcome obviously has brought huge relief”. As always, Gerard also urged people to be as prepared as possible when going to sea and if there is ever any doubt about safety to either dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.”

THE volunteer crew of Fenit RNLI rescued two people from a yacht which was drifting towards a cliff face yesterday near the Blasket Islands.

The  crew were enroute to their rescue mission within minutes of their pager alerts being activated at 12.20pm on Monday afternoon.

The All Weather Lifeboat carrying six crew arrived at the rescue location at 1.30pm.

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Notification was received from Valentia Coastguard that a sailing vessel, carrying two passengers had suffered engine failure and due to lack of wind was drifting towards a cliff face approximately one mile East of Sybil Point off the Blasket Islands.

Upon arrival at the scene both passengers were found to be safe and well. The lifeboat transferred a crew member on to the vessel who subsequently was tasked with attaching a tow line from the broken down yacht to the lifeboat.

In an operation taking almost three hours, the passengers of the vessel, along with the yacht, arrived safely back to Fenit Pier at approximately 5pm on Monday afternoon.

Kevin Moriarty, Coxwain, Fenit RNLI Lifeboat said; “the rescue mission went to plan exactly. We are very pleased that no medical assistance was needed during the rescue”. Kevin added “if at any time you see someone in trouble in the water or need assistance at sea, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard”.