Barry Dock RNLI marked a double celebration at the official opening of its new lifeboat station.
The Outer Harbour base, which began operations last September, recently launched its new £2.5 million Shannon Class lifeboat for the first time.
At a ceremony on Saturday, the all-weather lifeboat was officially named the Richard and Caroline Colton II in honour of a late benefactor.
Richard Colton left two rare Ferrari cars in his will, which went onto raise £8.5 million for the lifeboat charity at auction in 2015.
After being built in Poole and undergoing extensive sea trials, the new vessel arrived at Whitmore Bay in March with volunteers undergoing extensive training until it entered service in March.
The new lifeboat station includes enough space and room to set up a casaulty resuscitation area, along with the necessary facilities and equipment to aid and support paramedics and a warm shower which can slowly aid casualties.
The station was handed over by local supporter Enid Jones into the care of the RNLI on behalf of the donors, while another representative, Charles Denton, handed over the Richard and Caroline Colton II.
Both were accepted on the charity's behalf by its new chair, Janet Legrand.
She said: "It was a very special day for all involved. For the crew and volunteers as we officially named their new lifeboat and opened their new station; for the family and friends of Richard and Caroline Colton, and the trustees of Myristica Trust and The Kinsurdy Charitable Trust, whose generosity funded these new lifesaving assets; and for me personally, being my first official engagement in Wales as Chair of this remarkable institution."
"We’re immensely proud of all who give up their time to volunteer at Barry Dock Lifeboat Station, and for the dedication, commitment and sacrifice they make."
"Whatever their role – crew, station management or fundraiser – they are the embodiment of the RNLI, willingly and selflessly helping others in need."
The new lifeboat was accepted by Barry Dock's lifeboat operations manager Bill Kitchen before it was officially named by Helen Weber, ahead of a training exercise in front of watching guests.
The station was also passed on into the care of the Barry Dock crew and officially opened by local fundraiser Liz Matthews.
Andy Gavan, coxswain at Barry Dock RNLI, added: "Barry Dock Lifeboat Station is incredibly grateful to Mr Richard Colton, Myristica Trust and The Kinsurdy Charitable Trust for their generous donations. They have directly contributed to the continuation of our lifesaving operations off South Wales’s coast."
"Between moving into our new station, and the allocation of our new Shannon, we’ve had an exciting couple of years. I’d like to thank all of our volunteers and their families for their unwavering support and dedication over the last few months."
"I’m very much looking forward to our station’s next chapter."
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