Arklow, August 2, 1986: Connel Elizabeth Cargill, a 44ft Waveney class lifeboat with a top speed of 15 knots almost twice as fast as any previous Arklow lifeboat and previously stationed at Troon in Scotland, was blessed and re-dedicated to saving life at sea.

Mr John Tyrrell, chairman of Arklow lifeboat branch opened the official proceedings and Mr Ronnie Delany, a member of the RNLFs committee of management who was born in Arklow and who was clearly delighted to be present, officially handed over Connel Elizabeth Cargill on behalf of the committee to the care of Arklow branch.

Mr James Tyrrell, Arklow honorary secretary accepted the lifeboat for the station. He then called on Mr Delany to present certificates of service to Coxswain Michael O'Brien and other crew members who had retired with the introduction of the new lifeboat.

Mr J. H. Wilson, station honorary treasurer, proposed the vote of thanks to all those officiating at the ceremony. After the re-dedication and blessing the platform party were invited on board the lifeboat by the new coxswain, Sammy Dixon. He took them on a short run to demonstrate the speed and manoeuvrability of Connel Elizabeth Cargill.

The photograph, by courtesy of Robert Mullan, shows (1 to r) Mr John Tyrrell, Mr Ronnie Delany and Mr James Tyrrell aboard the station's new lifeboat..