The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Crew trials ahead of 2020 boat arrival
RNLI: New lifeboat fleet in Arbroath will make service more efficient and effective than ever before
Members of Arbroath lifeboat crew yesterday continued to get to grips with the RNLI’s new £1.5m all-weather boat.
Launch and recovery trials of a visiting Shannon are currently taking place in the town ahead of a new boat being delivered in August 2020.
The Shannon, named after a river in Ireland, will replace the current RNLI Mersey class lifeboat and is a big step up in terms of speed and technology,
Arbroath’s sister shed in Montrose was the first in Scotland to receive a Shannon- class boat in August, following an RNLI coast review.
A Shannon is scheduled to be delivered to Arbroath in four years, with the station also poised to be moved to the west side of the harbour.
Crew member Ron Churchill said: “It’s an awesome piece of kit.
“Having the Shannon here gives the crew a chance to take part in launch and recovery trials. The trials will continue over time because we have to tick all the boxes before the boat arrives.
“All being well, the boat is scheduled to arrive in Arbroath in August 2020.”
The RNLI confirmed in April 2014 that a new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat would replace the Mersey class currently in service at the station.
The Shannon is the latest class of all-weather lifeboat to join the RNLI fleet and the first to be propelled by water jets instead of traditional propellers.
The class will gradually replace Mersey and Tyne lifeboats.
It is designed to be launched and recovered from a beach via a new faster and safer launch and recovery system, as well as lie afloat.
Once rolled out, the RNLI’s entire all-weather lifeboat fleet will be capable of 25 knots, making its lifesaving service more efficient and effective than ever before.
It’s an awesome piece of kit. RON CHURCHILL CREW MEMBER