The blessing of Jack & Irene

Supporters, donors, crew, retired crew, colleagues in the emergency services and friends gathered this morning to share in the special celebration of the naming and blessing of the 8.5m RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) Jack & Irene stationed at our NSRI Gordon's Bay Rescue Base.Former Station Commander, Stuart Burgess, shared fond memories and honoured the lives of the late Jack & Irene Riley who were the benefactors of two rescue vessels Jack Riley and Jack & Irene. Our Operations Director, Mark Hughes, then handed over the keys officially to Station 9 Gordons Bay.A special word of thanks to the rescue crew and Kim Gresse who made all the arrangements, to Lana and the Gordon's Bay Yacht Club for hosting us and to Stuart Burgess's mother who first introduced us to the Rileys - resulting in a very long and special friendship with NSRI. The new 8.5m Rescue Boat named in honour of her benefactors, the late Jack and Irene Riley Station Commander, Alan Meiklejohn, welcomes guests to the naming of Jack & Irene A full house of 140 guests came to show their respects Former Station Commander, Stuart Burgess, shared wonderful stories about the late Jack & Irene Riley Mark Hughes, Operations Director, hands over the keys to Alan Meiklejohn (Station Commander) Ryan Holmes (coxswain) prays a special blessing over their new boat Jack & IrenePsalm 107:23-29 (KJV)They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Coxswain Ivan Bauser, StatCom Alan Meiklejohn, Coxswain Ryan Holmes with Roy and Ursula Harding Neil Slater and Clive Tesner assist Ursula Harding to do the honours: pouring champagne over her pontoons and naming her the Jack & Irene. 'May God bless her and all who sail in her.' Jilly Lay and David Hemus of Helderberg Village came to the function with Mr Moot Our colleagues from Shark Spotters Our colleagues from Gordons Bay Security (GBSec) Johann Lensink, Mark Burton, Brian Kingston and Rosy Rosenstrauch These gents have all served time as Deputy Station Commanders: Rosy, Anton and Brian Former coxswain and Deputy Station Commander, Francois Stevens, inspects the new craft Previous Station Commanders: Stuart Burgess, Mark Burton and Anton Prinsloo (unfortunately Nigel Pepperell had already left the function when this picture was taken) Fondly remembered, Uncle Jack and Aunty Irene Riley. Thank you for the generous legacy you left us.Click here for a short video of the event.