THE new Shannon-class lifeboat which visited the Isle of Man last weekend is not only the most advanced of its type, but its navigation system is supplied by an island distributor.
The boat was completing trials in the Irish Sea when it called on several of the lifeboat stations around the island, including Peel, Ramsey and Douglas.
Some of the Douglas volunteer crew had a chance to experience the Shannon first hand with a trip around Douglas Bay during the visit.
After the trip, Douglas coxswain Neal Corran said: ‘I was impressed with the boat’s speed and manoeuvrability and look forward to Douglas receiving theirs when it becomes available.’
The boats, which are being built at the RNLI base in Poole in Dorset will be supplied to the first lifeboat stations in the UK later in the year.
New boats will be supplied to the lifeboat stations in Douglas, Ramsey and Peel between 2016 and 2018.
The Shannon class lifeboat will replace the current Tyne class boat which will have been in Douglas for 25 years this November.
As well as being more manoeuvrable it is faster – with a top speed of 25 knots, depending on sea conditions, compared with the current boat’s 17 knots, allowing it to reach incidents much faster.
Safety for crew is also improved with special shock absorbing seats and on-board computer systems to monitor the lifeboat without crews needing to leave their seats.
The boat is the first of its kind to be powered by water jets rather than the more traditional propellors.
The new boat will cost £2m and the charity is currently deciding whether the change can be funded from gifts and legacies or whether specific fundraising will be needed.
The compass and satellite navigation system used by the new boat is designed and manufactured in Canada by Hemisphere GPS but it is supplied by Saderet Ltd based at St Jude’s which is the European distributer and service agent for the equipment.
The company tests and configures the equipment for European use and provides technical support.
Douglas lifeboat’s Mike Howland said all the crew had been very impressed with the new boat which was both more efficient and safer for the crew.
‘It’s a cracking boat: very quick and very safe and it can operate in shallower water than a propellor driven boat. It will be a couple of years before we get it.’
He said the best of the old boats were often supplied to other countries and continued to serve as lifeboats when they were pensioned off. ‘I think the crew is counting the days until we get ours. Everyone was very impressed and no one had a bad word to say about it.’