Five lifeboat stations to get new vessels by 2030

Five lifeboat stations in Devon are to get new vessels by 2030 as the RNLI updates its fleet, the rescue charity says.

Plymouth would be among the first stations in the country to get the new Coastal design, replacing its large Severn class boat; while Appledore, Salcombe and Torbay would get new Shannon class all-weather boats, bosses said.

Ilfracombe would get a new Atlantic 85 Mk3 craft, a high-speed rigid inflatable, to replace its current, larger Shannon class boat, they added.

The RNLI said data showed the majority of incidents responded to were now within reach of an inshore lifeboat; and 98% of responses were within 10 nautical miles (11.5 miles, 18.8km) of shore between 2017 and 2025.

The charity has reviewed its fleet and drawn up a strategy for the next 15 years, which includes the new Coastal class in 2028.

Plymouth is expected get its Coastal class boat in 2030, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The RNLI said the new model was more sustainable and cost-effective and, even though it was designed to operate at an optimal range of up to 10 nautical miles offshore, it could stretch its range to 25 nautical miles (29 miles, 46km).

Torbay's Shannon-class boat – propelled by water jets instead of propellers – is due to arrive in 2029.

The RNLI said the Shannon was its most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat, carrying a crew of six compared to the bay's current Severn class boat which carries seven.

The charity says it was confident the Shannon class lifeboat was the most suitable asset for the types of services the Torbay volunteer crews attended, and would work alongside the station's inshore lifeboat to provide lifesaving cover.

"The RNLI has constantly evolved and improved our service over 202 years," said Peter Sparkes, chief executive of the charity.

"We make evidence-based decisions and strive to ensure that we have the right lifeboats in the right places.

"We are responding to the changing nature of lifesaving at sea by adapting our service to ensure it is fit for our nations' future needs."

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