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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines welcomes new guest-funded RNLI lifeboat in the Kyle of Lochalsh

Fred. Olsen Cruise has welcomed the launch of the latest RNLI lifeboat to be funded by the generosity of guests who have sailed on its four ships.

The lifeboat - the fourth to be funded by Fred Olsen quests - was unveiled at Kyle of Lochalsh, in the Highlands of Scotland.

The RNLI lifeboat Spirit of Fred Olsen is put through its paces

In 2009, on board donations amounted to £91,000, enabl;ing Fred. Olsen to reach its target and fund the new £180,000 Atlantic 85 class boat.

Its name, Spirit of Fred. Olsen, was nominated by Karen Potter, a recent guest on Black Watch, who said of her choice: “A lot of lifeboats start with the name Spirit, and Fred. Olsen supports the RNLI.”

In an online Facebook poll, this name attracted the most votes among Fred. Olsen guests.

Mike Rodwell, managing director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are very proud of the commitment shown by our guests towards the RNLI, even in these difficult economic times, and we are extremely honoured to be able to name the new Kyle of Lochalsh lifeboat after our company, which has been in the shipping business since 1848.

“Our thanks go to Karen Potter for coming up with such an inspirational and meaningful name for the new lifeboat, and it is most fitting that the Spirit of Fred. Olsen will be saving lives at sea for many years to come.”

The new lifeboat became ready to respond to emergencies with a volunteer crew, 24 hours a day, after undergoing tests at Kyle, and replaces the previous Atlantic 75 class boat, called Alexander Cattanach, which had been stationed at Kyle since 1997.

Kyle has launched 14 times in 2011, and in 2010 it was the 12th busiest station in Scotland, with 24 launches.

Spirit of Fred. Olsen can accommodate four crew, with an enlarged space for casualties. It is capable of speeds of up to 35 knots, and the official naming ceremony will take placelkater this year.

Emma Martin, the RNLI’s corporate partnerships manager, said: “We are immensely proud of the partnership between Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and the RNLI, which has been built up over the last 40 years. The new Kyle of Lochalsh lifeboat Spirit of Fred. Olsen really highlights this, and the tremendous amount of fundraising that takes place on board Fred. Olsen’s cruise ships, which is so valuable to the charity.”

Fred. Olsen’s guests have been raising funds for the RNLI on board its cruise ships since the Soxties, when an RNLI volunteer, Howard Bell (and his wife, Poppy), started the initiative to encourage fellow guests to help the charity to save lives at sea.

The relationship has grown ever since, and Fred. Olsen is now the RNLI’s longest-running corporate partner.

Over the years, the generous donations of Fred. Olsen’s guests’ on board its ships have funded:

Four inshore lifeboats – the previous lifeboat, B-774 Braemar, went on service in 2001

Three mobile training units

Three seminar rooms at The Lifeboat College in Poole, Dorset

The development and funding of three DODO (drive-on, drive-off) lifeboat launching trolleys at Mudeford, Cullercoats and Criccieth

RNLI crew member training programme throughout 2011

In May 2010, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines was presented with a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by the RNLI’s patron Prince Michael of Kent in recognition of its ongoing commitment.