Ominously, the clouds, wind and rain beckoned as I headed to Swanage Lifeboat Station for the Naming Ceremony of a new D-class lifeboat and a Service of Dedication. I am fortunate and honoured to have two lifeboat stations in my constituency and the crews at both are notable for their professionalism, courage and dedication. Nothing is more honourable than to serve to save life. I was soon parking up near the station and walked the short distance to it in a freezing cold wind. It was a north-easterly, hence the chill. Fortunately, I had decided to wear my thick overcoat. I arrived about 20 minutes before the event was due to start and was soon chatting to a large number of people who'd had come to the parade. Coxswain Dave Turnbull was in good and humerous form. What an outstanding Coxswain he is. He has welded together a resolute crew, whose respect for him was palpable. A Salvation Army band was there to take us through two hymns. They performed wonderfully in freezing and very windy conditions. The event began with the National Anthem, rather poignant with all that the poor Royals are coping with right now. Dave Corben, chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group, welcomed everyone and opened proceedings. He handed over to Anthony Oliver, the former RNLI Deputy Head of Fundraising and Marketing, who spoke on behalf of the donor, Roy Norgrove, after whom the new rib was named. Mrs Doreen Norgrove lived in Winchester and died in August 2019. She was a long-time supporter of the RNLI, along with her husband Roy, and left half of her estate to purchase the lifeboat in memory of her late husband. The boat is a small rib, well equipped and driven by a 50hp engine. It is highly manoeuvrable and will be used mainly inshore for the most common types of rescue. After Anthony had spoken, Rob Faricy, Safety and Independent Assurance Director, accepted the lifeboat on behalf of the RNLI. Rob Pullman, the dedicated Lifeboat Operations Manager, then accepted the vessel on behalf of the station itself. After this, the Reverend Tony Higgins, himself a former lifeboatman, took the short Service. Rob Pullman than invited crew member Darren Tomes to name the lifeboat, which he did with the help of some champagne. Dave Corben then closed proceedings and four members of the crew disappeared to change into their dry suits for a launch. The boat lay on a wheeled platform, which was lowered down a gentle-sloping ramp into the sea. The crew climbed aboard and, after a few false starts, the engine burst into life and they were off. Although the sea was reasonably calm, I understood why the crew were in dry suits as spray poured over the bow. Demonstration over, we squeezed into the fisherman's hut for a welcome cup of tea and cake. It was a chance to chat to our High Sheriff and other attendees. It was a memorable two hours, not least meeting some of the crew again, who are a special breed.