New Portree RNLI lifeboat departs Poole for delivery voyage to the Isle of Skye

Named RNLB Peter and Mary (13-59), this will be the first new permanent lifeboat for the Portree station in 30 years, taking over from the veteran Trent class Stanley Watson Barker (14-16) later this year.

Peter and Mary set sail from the All Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole earlier today (Tuesday 14 April) and will sail up the west of the UK. She will call at several other RNLI stations during the 5 day delivery voyage, arriving at Portree on Saturday 18 April at 1.59pm (to match the hull numbers of 13-59). All members of the public are being encouraged to come to watch the arrival and to be part of the exciting day.

The outgoing lifeboat, Stanley Watson Barker, will remain on active service at Portree for several weeks, to ensure that there is no gap in service during further crew familiarisation training onboard the new vessel before it finally enters active service. The final departure date of the old lifeboat will be announced in due course.

Stuart Nicolson, Coxswain at Portree RNLI, who is part of the delivery voyage crew, said:

‘Firstly, I’d like to say a huge thank you to our volunteer crew who have been putting in many hours of intensive training – both at the All Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole and at home in Portree – in preparation for the arrival of our new vessel.

‘We are all excited to welcome this state of the art, Shannon class lifeboat into Portree bay. The crew who have been training onboard her have already commented on her excellent sea-going qualities, manoeuvrability and efficiency.

‘We’re encouraging members of the public and the local community to come down to the pier in Portree this Saturday 18 April to welcome Peter and Mary into the bay for the very first time.’

The Shannon class is the smallest and lightest form of all weather lifeboat, being designed and built entirely in-house by the RNLI. With a top speed of 25 knots – matching the speed of current Portree Trent class lifeboat Stanley Watson Barker - it is propelled by water jets rather than propellors which offers an increased level of manoeuvrability. It has a uniquely designed hull to improve handling and efficiency when at sea, even in rough weather, including only needing 80% of its engine power to reach top speed. The Shannon class also has self-righting capabilities.

ENDS

Notes to editors

· All photos in this press release should be credited to RNLI/Nathan Williams.

· Portree Lifeboat Station was established in 1991. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/portree-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

For further information, please contact:

Robert MacInnes, Lifeboat Press Officer at Portree RNLI: 07950 421829 / [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland: 07826 900639 / [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland: 07920 365929 / [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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