Llandudno RNLI’s new lifeboat now built as station continues to take shape
Llandudno RNLI are another step closer to the start of a new era as their new Shannon class lifeboat is ready and waiting to take her place on the North Wales coast.
Llandudno’s new Shannon class lifeboat William F Yates has passed the charity’s essential sea trials and has been accepted for operational service. The state of the art all-weather lifeboat will be stored in the charity’s All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset until her new home is complete, as development continues on the Craig-y-Don site.
Development of the new RNLI boathouse is progressing well at Llandudno with the building due to be complete by early summer. All the marine works have been completed along with the building foundations, steel frame and external walls. Wynne Construction, the main contractor, is planning to complete the roof in the forthcoming weeks, along with the installation of the windows and first fix internal works which are in progress.
Marcus Elliot, Llandudno Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘This is a very exciting time for all at Llandudno lifeboat station. The support we’ve had from the local community has been wonderful; the crew are often stopped in the street by people wanting to find out more about the build and asking when the new Shannon is due to arrive.
‘Spring is going to be a busy time for the volunteers as we train to familiarise ourselves with the Shannon as well as the impressive launch and recovery system that will accompany the new lifeboat. From early May the RNLI plan to send a relief Shannon lifeboat and launch and recovery system to Llandudno so that the volunteers can start the intense training. Some of the crew will also get the opportunity to spend a week’s training on our very own lifeboat – the William F Yates –before being tasked with the honour of bringing our new lifeboat home early this summer.’
The £2.2M Shannon class lifeboat, which was designed to replace the Mersey and Tyne class lifeboats, is the first modern all-weather lifeboat to be propelled by waterjets instead of traditional propellers, making her the most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat yet. Reaching top speeds of 25 knots, the Shannon is nearly 50% faster than the Mersey, giving crews the ability to reach and assist casualties faster when time is of the essence. The new lifeboat will replace the station’s existing Mersey class lifeboat Andy Pearce, which is reaching the end of her operational life.
Notes to editor
Attached are photos of Llandudno’s Shannon class lifeboat during her official sea trials. Credit: RNLI/Stephen Lowe
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