British Nuclear Fuels Limited's (BNF1) marine terminal provided an ideal location for the naming ceremony of Barrow's 47ft Tyne class lifeboat, on a cool sunny day in May.

The new lifeboat James Bibby—dressed overall—was moored only a few yards from where the guests were seated. Music was provided by Vickers Engineering and Shipbuilding Limited's band.

Mr W. Eccles QBE, branch president, welcomed the guests, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Barrow; the boat's donor, Mr J.

B. Bibby; his wife and family; Lt Cdr Brian Miles, deputy director of the RNLI and members of the Committee of Management.

Handing over the lifeboat to Mr G. R.

Newman FICS, of the Committee of Management, Mr Bibby said that she was named in memory of his great grandfather, James Bibby, who founded the family firm of J.

Bibby & Company.

The lifeboat was then handed over to Mr T. Downing, station honorary secretary, on behalf of the branch.

The service of dedication was conducted by the Bishop Suffragan of Penrith, the Right Reverend G. L. Hacker, who was assisted by the station honorary Chaplain, Reverend J. L. J. Tail, the Reverend FatherBritish Nuclear Fuels Limited's (BNF1) marine terminal provided an ideal location for the naming ceremony of Barrow's 47ft Tyne class lifeboat, on a cool sunny day in May.

The new lifeboat James Bibby—dressed overall—was moored only a few yards from where the guests were seated. Music was provided by Vickers Engineering and Shipbuilding Limited's band.

Mr W. Eccles QBE, branch president, welcomed the guests, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Barrow; the boat's donor, Mr J.

B. Bibby; his wife and family; Lt Cdr Brian Miles, deputy director of the RNLI and members of the Committee of Management.

Handing over the lifeboat to Mr G. R.

Newman FICS, of the Committee of Management, Mr Bibby said that she was named in memory of his great grandfather, James Bibby, who founded the family firm of J.

Bibby & Company.

The lifeboat was then handed over to Mr T. Downing, station honorary secretary, on behalf of the branch.

The service of dedication was conducted by the Bishop Suffragan of Penrith, the Right Reverend G. L. Hacker, who was assisted by the station honorary Chaplain, Reverend J. L. J. Tail, the Reverend FatherT. Singleton and Reverend D. Whiting (United Reformed Church, representing Barrow Council of Churches). Hymn singing was led by Barrow Working Men's Choir and the choir of Rampside Women's Institute.

After the dedication service was over Mrs M. Thomson, who chairs the Barrow Ladies' Lifeboat Guild, proposed a vote of thanks.

The donor's daughter, Miss Lindsay Frances Bibby, was then invited by the branch chairman, Mr K. Braithwaite to step forward and name the lifeboat RNLB James Bibby.

As the bottle of champagne burst on the lifeboat's bow other vessels in the dock sounded their sirens in salute. A helicopter from RAF Valley, Anglesey appeared overhead trailing an RNLI flag and then followed this with an impressive flying display.

After slipping her moorings Coxswain Albert Benson slowly edged the lifeboat into the dock where he gave an impressive demonstration of her capabilities, before returning to the quayside where guests were taken aboard to view the new boat.—John Tranter, Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society, North-West Research Group..