Arbroath and Broughty Ferry Lifesaving Effect Review

A new purpose-built lifeboat station will be built in Arbroath to house the state-of-the-art Atlantic 85 lifeboat in what is a significant investment by the RNLI across Tayside and Angus.

The decision has been made after a collaborative, evidence-based process involving both lifeboat stations and has been approved by RNLI Trustees.

With both all-weather lifeboats in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry approaching the end of their operational service, the RNLI initiated a lifesaving effect review in September 2022, meeting with representatives at both stations, and key stakeholders, to explore the most appropriate combination of lifeboats for the area.

The review concluded that the combination of an Atlantic 85 and Shannon-class lifeboat at Arbroath and Broughty Ferry will complement each other to enhance the ability of our volunteers to save lives at sea.

Commenting on the decision, RNLI Head of Region for Scotland, Jill Hepburn, said: ‘The addition of an Atlantic 85 and Shannon-class lifeboat to support the current D-class inshore lifeboats on station will see Tayside and Angus boast the most up-to-date lifesaving craft in the RNLI fleet. The Atlantic 85 lifeboat safely serves 106 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland, including Stonehaven and Macduff further north on the east coast of Scotland. With a top speed of 35 knots, the Atlantic 85 is much faster than both the Mersey and the Shannon Class all-weather lifeboats; it can reach casualties more quickly and it also has a better shallow-water capability.

Jill continued: ‘The RNLI is continually reviewing its lifesaving capabilities around the coast of the UK and Ireland, to make sure we have the right boats and equipment in the right places to enable our crews to save as many lives as possible. The input from both lifeboat stations throughout the review has been key in helping us understand the bigger picture and I would like to thank them for their contributions and all that they do in saving lives at sea.

‘As the RNLI approaches its 200th anniversary it is vital that we continue to evolve so we are fit for the future, and the commitment we are making today to invest in the replacement of lifeboats in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry with two state-of-the-art vessels will undoubtedly improve the service we provide to Tayside and Angus for years to come.’

There will be no immediate change to the lifeboat configuration in Arbroath or Broughty Ferry as we progress to the next stage of implementation.

Arbroath and Broughty Ferry Lifesaving Effect Review - background

The Lifesaving Effect Review started in September 2022 and our team met with representatives from Arbroath and Broughty Ferry Lifeboat Station on five separate occasions to review the data and consider the thoughts and input from stations. The review concluded that the combination of an Atlantic 85 and Shannon-class lifeboat at Arbroath and Broughty Ferry would enhance our charity’s ability to save lives. However, as the specific location of each lifeboat had an insignificant impact on lifesaving effect, the review had to consider cost and the practicalities of implementation to reach a decision about where each new lifeboat should be stationed.

The review explored the various challenges and costs associated with implementing change at both sites. As a charity, the RNLI must always remember our responsibility to our donors and guarantee we spend their money wisely, while ensuring our lifeboats are always ready to respond.

While a Shannon class lifeboat can be stationed at Broughty Ferry with little additional investment, placing an Atlantic 85 there would require a multi-million-pound spend to overcome infrastructure challenges.

Additionally, the most practical all-weather lifeboat solution in Arbroath would see the boat berthed permanently in the town’s harbour. The review established that tidal restrictions in Arbroath Harbour would impact the all-weather lifeboat’s ability to launch at low water periodically throughout the year. With no tidal restrictions in Broughty Ferry, the decision to house the all-weather lifeboat there will allow for more consistent time on service, ready to respond to emergency calls.

Not a downgrade

This is not a downgrade. To describe the replacement of an aging 16-knot, Mersey-class lifeboat that has served the town for over 30-years with a new, state-of-the-art, 35-knot lifeboat, is unjust. The RNLI has been saving lives at sea for almost 200 years. During this time, we have developed a fleet of lifeboats best suited to the coastline of the UK and Ireland. The Atlantic 85 is a very capable lifeboat that offers something different to our lifesaving capabilities. Working alongside all-weather lifeboats from flanking stations, and a D-class lifeboat, the addition of an Atlantic 85 would improve the lifesaving effect of the RNLI on this stretch of coastline.

Safety concerns

Concerns raised over the safety of our crew on an Atlantic 85 are misleading without context. As the charity that saves lives at sea, the safety of our crews and those we rescue will always be our priority. No change would be made that compromised safety. The RNLI operates the Atlantic 85 safely at 106 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland – 27 of which are on the North Sea coastline.

As part of the review process, concerns regarding the windfarm and safety of the fishing fleet were discussed at length and have been fully considered in this recommendation. With one Atlantic 85, three Shannon-class and four D-class lifeboats covering 33 nautical miles from Anstruther to Montrose, this configuration of lifeboats will provide the very best lifesaving response for the area and will allow us to continue to respond to shouts both inshore and at distance.

Finances

Money left exclusively for Arbroath will be spent in Arbroath. The RNLI has received donations where the donor expressed a wish for them to be used at Arbroath and these are referred to as restricted funds that will be used for the purpose specified.

Additional money from the main RNLI fund has been provisionally earmarked for Arbroath. These are referred to as designated to Arbroath and can, if required, be used elsewhere.

Very few stations are financially self-sufficient and receive money from the charity’s central funds to subsidise what is raised locally. For context, the through-life costs of an Atlantic 85 lifeboat are £669,000 over an estimated 15-years on-station. Over the last ten years, Arbroath have self-funded less than 30% of their total running costs.

Previous Coast Reviews and the current process

The development of the RNLI’s asset management process has provided a more collaborative, transparent, and informed approach to support decision-making in complex scenarios like Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, which meets the charity regulator’s governance requirements for clarity, engagement, and transparency. This is particularly important on this stretch of coastline given the make-up of the flank station lifeboats. And, like any charity, we are committed to regularly reviewing processes to ensure we are spending donors’ money wisely and following best practice. There was a recognition the coast review process could be improved, to ensure external factors could be scrutinised and be more widely considered.

We initiated this improved process with Arbroath and Broughty Ferry RNLI on 5 September 2022. During which, we addressed previous coast review letters that were issued and took into account their content. We maintained regular contact with the lifeboat station, returning for Lifesaving Effect Review meetings on 19 September, 2 November, 12 December and 9 February. In addition, the station had access to a shared Teams folder containing our data and various presentations, as well as regular contact with their Area Lifesaving Manager.

The RNLI has been saving lives at sea for almost 200 years. During this time, we have developed a fleet of lifeboats best suited to the coastline of the UK and Ireland. The Atlantic 85 is a very capable lifeboat that offers something different to our lifesaving capabilities. Working alongside all-weather lifeboats from flanking stations, and a D-class lifeboat, the addition of an Atlantic 85 will improve the lifesaving effect of the RNLI on this stretch of coastline.

Key considerations

As part of the review, we considered each option from a cost and infrastructure perspective, and this was one of several factors contributing to the decision we have made.

Making changes to an RNLI station and their lifeboat fleet is not driven by cost. However, the RNLI is a charity so we must always remember our responsibility to our donors.

Atlantic 85 launching options

The RNLI operates 106 Atlantic 85 lifeboats around the UK and Ireland and has a variety of launch and recovery options available. Over the coming months, we will look to adopt the best solution to suit Arbroath and incorporate this into the new lifeboat station.

2022 call out figures

In 2022, Broughty Ferry launched 88 times, 36 of which were with the all-weather lifeboat and 52 were with the D-class.

In 2022, Arbroath RNLI launched 46 times, 21 of which were with the all-weather lifeboat and 25 were with the D-class inshore lifeboat.

None of the 46 calls attended by Arbroath RNLI in 2022 were in conditions deemed unsuitable for an Atlantic 85.

RNLI media contacts

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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

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