Peel RNLI anticipate new lifeboat in March

Thu, 06 Feb 2020

Peel RNLI will welcome the first Shannon-class lifeboat to be stationed on-Island in March.

 

The volunteers said that the £2.2m boat will improve the crew’s ability to save lives at sea. 

 

Peel Lifeboat Operations Manager Allen Corlett said: ‘We are honoured that the RNLI is enhancing our service with the new lifeboat. 

 

'It is more manoeuvrable, safer, faster and has a greater range than the Mersey class Ruby Clery which served us well for nearly 30 years. 

 

‘Our crew and volunteers are keenly anticipating the new lifeboat’s arrival in March. We hope our community of supporters will join us and a flotilla of vessels to welcome it to Peel.'

 

In preparation for the vessel’s arrival, crew training has been underway for months and is now picking up pace and intensity.

 

This week, Peel’s three coxswains and the station’s full-time mechanic are at the RNLI College in Poole being trained in the use of the jet propulsion system, known as one of the key innovations of the Shannon. 

 

With the usual propellers and rudders replaced by water jets, the lifeboat can turn in its own length and stop almost instantly.

 

Peel’s lifeboat was put into the water at the RNLI Lifeboat Centre in Poole in September 2019, where it has remained for testing and training.

 

RNLI crews said after its arrival in Peel, there will be many more weeks of intense training for the crew before the new lifeboat can be put into service. 

 

In the meantime, the crew will continue to use the relief boat currently moored alongside Peel breakwater when responding to emergencies.  

 

An official ‘Naming Ceremony’ for the Peel Lifeboat is being planned for Saturday 27th June - further details will be released once they have been confirmed. 

---