Leverburgh RNLI’s new Shannon class Lifeboat goes on service on the Isle of Harris.
The volunteer crew have passed their Shannon-based training and the RNLB Stella and Humfrey Berkeley 13-25 goes on service today.
The new £2.2m Lifeboat arrived in Leverburgh to a huge crowd, on April 21.
Training on the Shannon class had begun before that time, with various crew members visiting the RNLI’s college in Poole for training and familiarisation. Following the Shannon’s arrival in Leverburgh, crew undertook a further period of intensive training and have now been passed out.
RNLI Fleet Staff Coxswain, Andrew said: “It has been a pleasure to work with all the volunteers at Leverburgh Lifeboat Station. To see their new Shannon class lifeboat going on service is a proud moment for everyone involved and a massive date in the station’s history books.
“The new boat will serve the station well for years to come, but will always need the volunteers to continue the great work that they do, to allow it all to happen.”
The Shannon class Lifeboat is the RNLI’s first modern all-weather lifeboat to be propelled by waterjets instead of traditional propellers, making her the most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat yet, a feature which will be particularly beneficial when working in the challenging waters of the Sound of Harris.
Leverburgh RNLI Coxswain, Angus Morrison, who was part of the team who took the new Shannon from Poole to Leverburgh said: “Apart from the increased speed, range and manoeuvrability of the Shannon, one of the most significant improvements is the increased safety and welfare of the crew.
“Each seat is mounted on a shock absorber, and individual electronic screens allow the crew to operate and monitor most of the lifeboat’s functions from the safety of their seat.
“It is a real honour to be in receipt of such an impressive vessel and we are sure she will serve our coastal communities well for years to come.”
Leverburgh RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Chris Ross added: “We would like to pay particular thanks to all the RNLI trainers and assessors who have visited us over recent months, for their time and the wealth of knowledge they have brought with them.
“We would also like to thank our local coastguard helicopter teams for assisting us with our most recent training. It is a truly memorable occasion to have our new Shannon class Lifeboat go on service and one which we are delighted to be a part of.
Leverburgh’s new Shannon Class Lifeboat will be officially named at a special ceremony, to be held on Saturday 14th July. More information on this will follow in the coming weeks.