Rain fails to dampen the enthusiasm of supporters as Rhyl's new Shannon arrives

Former Oakley class lifeboat Har-Lil, current lifeboats Lil Cunningham and the station’s current D-class lifeboat Mary Maxwell greeted the Shannon class lifeboat and provided a spectacle for viewers in the harbour. RNLI volunteers from Flint also attended with their D-class lifeboat to show their support.

The modern, state-of-the-art lifeboat is larger, faster, more manoeuvrable and safer and therefore has the potential to save more lives off the north Wales coast. It received a huge welcome and arrived to huge cheers from crowds despite the downpours.

The community pulled out all the stops to raise £150,000 towards the modern new vessel in less than a year – exceeding all expectations. The appeal was closed by the charity’s biggest fan Darcey Payne-Burgoyne, who donated her £150 pocket money to close the appeal earlier this year. The Ysgol Bryn Hedydd pupil was delighted see the eagerly awaiting lifeboat arrive home and brought bags of goodies for her favourite crew.

The new lifeboat brings 21^st century technology to Denbighshire. Driven and steered by water jets instead of the conventional propellers and rudders, the Shannon can turn in her own length or stop almost instantly making going alongside a casualty to take off casualties a much safer option.

The increased speed of 25 knots as against 17 knots for the current Mersey class lifeboat on Station at Rhyl mean that casualties can be reached sooner in desperate situations where conditions are rapidly deteriorating.

The Shannon is designed for the safety of the crew, as well as rescued survivors, with better seating and full seat belt safety harnesses. The design of the vessel’s electronics (called SIMS – Systems Information and Management Systems) with a display at all seats mean that crew members do not need to get up to change seats if changing roles in severe weather. A press of a button will allow the functions required to control the vessel to be transferred between the seating positions.

Notes to editors

For further information please contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Media Manager for Wales and 07786 668829.

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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