THE latest vessel in the RNLI’s life-saving fleet has been officially named at the charity’s Poole headquarters.

High-ranking RNLI executives and members of The Robert Hall Foundation, the organisation that funded the class D inshore lifeboat, gathered on Friday.

Foundation founder Colonel Bill Hall and the other trustees have long supported the lifeboat charity.

They chose to name the new light inflatable boat – which is best suited to shallow water and confined locations – Ole Schroder.

It was named in memory of a Norwegian friend who was a keen sailor and supporter of many sea-related charities.

An RNLI spokesman said: “The lifeboat will enter the charity’s relief fleet.

“This means she could see active service at any of the RNLI lifeboat stations which have a D class vessel, at time when the station lifeboat is taken away for servicing, maintenance or repair.”

The Ole Schroder is five metres long, carries three crew members and has a maximum speed of 25 knots.

Col Hall, who lives in Jersey, attended the ceremony with his wife, sons and grandchildren.

Ole Schroder’s son, Ole Christian Schroder, and his wife, travelled from their American home for the ceremony.

It was hosted by RNLI chief executive Paul Boissier and RNLI head of fleet operations Hugh Fogarty.

The RNLI spokesman said: “The foundation has funded the cost of the life-saving vessel and made a significant contribution towards lifetime repairs and maintenance.”

Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved more than 139,000 lives.