After torrential rains, the clouds receded to let the sun break through, and D class lifeboat, John Sunderson was officially dedicated on the lifeboat slipway at Llandudno on 20 October 1996.

The lifeboat was donated by Dr Barbara Saunderson, whose great uncle saved a woman from drowning in Langton Dock, Liverpool in 1892. In her handing over speech, Dr Saunderson painted a vivid picture of other maritime disasters around the coast in 1892.

Dr Saunderson handed over the lifeboat to Anthony Oliver, deputy head of fundraising and marketing, who passed it to Lt Cdr John McDonald RD RNR, Llandudno station honorary secretary.

The service of dedication was conducted by The Reverend Canon Philip Cousins, The Right Reverend Monsignor Matthew Kelly STL and Idwal Wyn-Jones..