Bude RNLI's new inshore lifeboat has formally been named the George Bird at a ceremony on the weekend.
The event was hosted at the lifeboat station where the donor of the lifeboat, Mrs Patricia Bird from Kent splashed the bow with champagne as she named the new lifeboat in memory of her husband.
Paul Finn, chairman of the Bude RNLI lifeboat management group said the ceremony continued a proud tradition for the station.
"The first lifeboat for Bude was presented by King William IV in 1837. Our first D class inshore lifeboat arrived in 1966 and today we are welcoming the George Bird ensuring we have the very best up-to-date lifeboat. Without the generosity of Mrs Bird and that of our many volunteers, the RNLI wouldn't be the charity it is today,'' he said.
After the ceremony, the new D class inshore lifeboat launched to the sound of a lone piper playing Trelawney.
George Bird replaces the station's former D class inshore lifeboat Henry Philip that was on station from 2004 to 2012. During this time the lifeboat launched 69 times and rescued 29 people.
