Next generation arrives at Seahouses RNLI as station welcomes its new Shannon

The lifesaving vessel arrived at 1.36pm to add a sense of occasion, as her operational boat number is 1336.

The charity’s new lifeboat, costing £2.2M, has been funded by the generosity of a donor in Scotland. The lifeboat will be called John and Elizabeth Allan, after the donor’s parents.

Key features of the Shannon Class*:

· The Shannon class lifeboat is the first modern RNLI all-weather lifeboat to be powered by water jets and not propellers.

· Capable of 25 knots the Shannon is 50% faster than the lifeboats it replaces – ensuring that those in need are reached even faster.

· The Shannon is the RNLI’s next generation all-weather lifeboat and is the most agile in the fleet.

COVID-19 restrictions*:

· Although Seahouses RNLI is operational, the lifeboat station is closed to members of the public owing to COVID-19 restrictions.

· To ensure the safety of the volunteer crew and the public, the charity is asking people not to travel to the station/area to see the new lifeboat. The arrival of the new lifeboat will be marked by an official naming ceremony at a future date to be confirmed.

Ian Clayton, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Seahouses, explained: ‘The arrival of our new Shannon Class lifeboat has been much anticipated and yesterday was a truly historic occasion.

‘Our new lifesaving vessel has only been made a reality through the immense generosity of the donor whose parents the Shannon is named after and we really are very grateful.

‘Our volunteer crew can’t wait to start their new chapter of lifesaving with the Shannon and we’ve really enjoyed our recent training ahead of her arrival. The state-of-the-art vessel is 50% faster than our current all-weather lifeboat and this will ensure that those in need are reached even more quickly than before.

‘Naturally we’ll really miss our current all-weather lifeboat Grace Darling, but we’re also excited about receiving our Shannon, whose advanced technology means we’ll be able to reach people a lot more quickly and further offshore.’

Ian added: ‘Due to COVID-19 restrictions we’re asking people not to travel to the area at this time to view our new lifeboat. Although the lifeboat station is fully operational, it remains closed to members of the public. The safety of our volunteer crew and the public is paramount but we can’t wait until we can invite people along to see her and we’re really looking forward to bringing out the bunting at a future date, to mark her arrival at a naming ceremony.’

RNLI Photo caption

The photographs and video show Seahouses RNLI’s new Shannon Class lifeboat, John and Elizabeth Allan arriving. Credit: @NEAMPR.

Notes to editors

· For more information about the Shannon Class lifeboat please visit: https://rnli.org/what-we-do/lifeboats-and-stations/our-lifeboat-fleet/shannon-class-lifeboat

· Owing to COVID-19 restrictions and - in order to ensure the safety of Seahouses volunteer lifeboat crew and the public - unfortunately the RNLI was unable to announce arrival of the new lifeboat in advance.

· The new Shannon will be named at an official naming ceremony and when restrictions have eased. This date will be announced in advance and media invitations will be issued.

For more information, please contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Media Officer (North East and East) on: 07824 518641 or at [email protected] or, Ian Clayton RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on: 07802 155 670 or email: [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.