A new £2.78 million Shannon class RNLI lifeboat, destined for the Portree station on Skye, has been officially launched into the water for the first time.
The state-of-the-art vessel, which has been named RNLB Peter and Mary (13-59), received the traditional bell ringing ceremony at the All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole last Tuesday before being lowered into the water.
The bell ringing ceremony is a tradition upon completion of a new lifeboat, signifying the end of watch for the previous lifeboat and the start of watch for the new one.
The vessel will now undergo extensive sea trials in the south to prepare her for active service, before her arrival in Portree at a date to be announced.
Portree RNLI station mechanic John “Clanky” Nicolson attended the ceremony with deputy launch authority Peter Urquhart.
A bottle of Talisker whisky, donated by the world-famous Skye-based distillery, was presented during the ceremony to help mark the launch and in appreciation of the RNLI in-house production team.
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 per cent of its engine power to reach top speed. The Shannon class also has self-righting capabilities.
Stuart Nicolson, Portree RNLI coxswain, said: “The RNLI volunteers and crew are very much looking forward to welcoming a new lifeboat to Portree. Training is already under way to allow the crew to transition seamlessly between Stanley Watson Barker and Peter and Mary when the vessel arrives on station.
“The lifeboat itself may be changing, but the lifesaving work of the RNLI charity will continue.”
Douglas MacDougall, lifeboat operations manager at Portree RNLI, said: “Despite, in time, saying goodbye to our loyal servant Stanley Watson Barker which has served us well for over 30 years, we know that the new lifeboat will be an able replacement to continue to save lives around the Isle of Skye and coastline of the north west Highlands.
“Finally, and with humble respect, the Portree RNLI crew, volunteers, fundraisers and our community are indebted to the donors whose generosity has funded this new life-saving asset.”