Sunshine and music welcomed Fishguard's new inshore lifeboat (ILB) on Saturday, as the vessel was officially named in memory of a well-known officer and RNLI supporter.

The new D-class lifeboat, which arrived on station last December, has been named after merchant navy officer and RNLI supporter Edward Arthur Richardson.

It was funded by a legacy from Elizabeth Hughena Richardson, who died in September 2010. Mrs Richardson left money from her estate to the RNLI to provide a lifeboat in her husband's name.

Arthur, who died some 20 years before his wife, was a radio officer in the merchant navy and served in the Falklands during his service.

The couple were well-known Fishguard residents, having lived in the town for around four decades. Both of them were born in the area; Mrs Richardson in Dinas Cross and Mr Richardson in Goodwick.

The lifeboat, which has already launched six times on service, was named by Peter Cross, representing Mrs Richardson. It was accepted on behalf of the RNLI by James Grazebrook.

"Arthur was finishing his career as a radio officer in the merchant navy just as I was starting out on mine as a deck cadet," said Captain David Williams, Fishguard RNLI lifeboat operations manager.

We would often chat about life at sea and it's fantastic that his legacy will help our volunteers save lives at sea for years to come.

'Every naming ceremony for a new lifeboat is a special occasion and today we are honouring Hughena Richardson and her generous life-saving gift to the institution in memory of her husband.

'We couldn't operate our lifeboat without the dedication of our volunteers. The crew in Fishguard provide an outstanding service to their community. There is nothing greater that a person could offer and they deserve nothing less than the best in lifeboats, equipment and training that the RNLI offers.'