THE FAMILY of a popular teenager killed in a car crash say his memory will live on after a lifeboat is named after him.

Talented musician Ollie Naismith died aged just 19 after his car left the A38 near Saltash on December 6 last year.

More than a thousand people paid tribute to the popular guitarist and surfer via Facebook while hundreds of mourners paid their respects at his funeral a week before Christmas.

Now the RNLI has announced that the rescue boat heading for his home town of Looe in South East Cornwall will be named in his memory.

Ollie's father, police Sergeant John Naismith, of Saltash, said: "It's difficult to explain how it feels – on the one hand we've lost Ollie, my little boy and the apple of our eye. But it means his memory will be kept alive."

He added: "It came as a real surprise. We heard that they were talking about it but they said it would be down to the people of Looe. It's really helped that people have just been there for us and we're thrilled that they've done this – it shows that they feel the same way about him that we do."

The charity yesterday launched a £31,000 appeal to pay for the new D-class inshore lifeboat which is being supported by the whole Naismith family, including Ollie's mother Maxine and younger sister Tori.

Mr Naismith added: "It makes me smile because he was picked up by a boat when he was 13 or 14.

"People called the lifeboat when they saw him off shore at Looe, which he was pretty embarrassed about."

One of Ollie's closest friends, Jamie Curtis, is an RNLI volunteer at Looe and will be among of those who will crew the new lifeboat.

Ollie's mum Maxine said: "Ollie loved the sea and surfing and Jamie was one of his close friends. Ollie was full of life and would be amazed to see his name on a lifeboat.

"This will keep his memory alive for his dad, sister and me and for his many friends in the community of Looe. Lots of people have asked if there will be some sort of memorial for Ollie following his tragic death, and now I can answer them by asking them to give financial support to this special appeal in Ollie's name."

Two RNLI lifeboats are based at Looe – the current D-class lifeboat Regina Mary and a bigger Atlantic-class inshore lifeboat, the Alan and Margaret. Between 2006 and 2009 the two lifeboats launched 129 times and rescued 119 people.

The new inshore lifeboat to replace the Regina Mary will be faster, fitted out with high-tech navigation equipment and an updated first aid kit. It is due to arrive at the station in the autumn.

Dave Haines, RNLI lifeboat operations manager at Looe, said inshore boat was a vital asset which complimented the larger lifeboat.

"Looe and its surrounding coastline is extremely popular, especially in the summer months, and time and again the call outs we launch to prove the need for our two inshore lifeboats," he said.

"Then of course there's our fishing fleet to protect and the many leisure craft that journey past Looe between Fowey and Plymouth. This new D-class inshore lifeboat will provide us with a valuable tool especially when it comes to rescues up the river in shallow water, and out amongst the rocks or at the foot of cliffs."

The appeal is aiming to raise the total amount needed to provide the lifeboat, its engine and all relevant equipment to help save lives at sea.

Ollie's ashes were recently scattered in the sea near the beach in Looe. His family said that he would now be with his surfer friends, out on the waves.

Support for the appeal can be made by cheque made out to the Looe Inshore Lifeboat Appeal and sent to Looe Lifeboat Station, West End, East Looe, Cornwall, PL13 1AT, or via www.rnli.org.uk/looeappeal. For more information please contact Looe Lifeboat Station on 01503 265072.