New lifeboat arrives

Girvan Lifeboat station will introduce a powerful new vessel next month.

The £ 2.1 million Shannon class all- weather lifeboat will arrive in Girvan Harbour at approximately 1.23pm on Sunday, December 10.

It is set to replace the old reliable Mersey class lifeboat, Silvia Burrell, which has faithfully served Girvan for 25 years.

The new vessel will be named RNLB Elizabeth and Gertrude Allan. With a top speed of 25 knots and extensive twin water jets, the boat is ideal for the British coastline, with increased manoeuvrability and ability to function in shallower waters.

Craig Sommerville, of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, said: “The arrival of a town’s new lifeboat is cause for great excitement as well as celebration and for some will be a once- in- a- lifetime experience to participate and witness the arrival of a new lifeboat, to which we hope you will come down to join and support us in this milestone for Girvan and indeed Ayrshire.”

There is set to be an atmosphere of celebration at the harbour side on the day, as there will be stalls, music, entertainment, lifeboat display and helicopter and much more to commemorate the arrival of the new boat.

Girvan will be the first town in the west of Scotland to own a Shannon class lifeboat.