RNLI crews get first glimpse at new lifeboat
BBCVolunteer RNLI crews across the Channel Islands have got their first glimpse of new all-weather lifeboats.
Alderney, St Helier, and St Peter Port are due to each receive a new Shannon M2k class lifeboat in the next 18 months to replace existing all-weather vessels as part of the charity's lifeboat fleet strategy.
From Wednesday until Friday, the RNLI relief lifeboat 13-26 John Metters is visiting each of the islands to give crews hands-on experience. The new model includes an upgraded navigation system and improved safety features.
The charity said the Shannon class boats would "ensure crews are equipped to respond effectively to modern search and rescue demands".
The current lifeboat in Jersey is a Tamar-class, which uses traditional propellers to move.
Shannon class vessels are propelled by water jets, making them "extremely manoeuvrable and agile with an ability to operate well in both deep and shallow water", the charity said.
"I went out on the Shannon... and the first impressions are really good," said Alex Scott, an RNLI mechanic.
"The boat is very smooth, really manoeuvrable, and that is because it is jet-driven as opposed to propeller-driven like the Tamar is."
Scott said the boat was "fundamental" to life on an island as people would need to be rescued from the surrounding water.
He added the new model was equipped with updated electronics, the latest navigation systems, infrareds, and a next generation thermographic camera for seeing people at night time.
However, it is a smaller boat.
"We've got no concerns about the size of it," Scott said.
"The Shannon has already proved itself around the UK coastline, and it has been in service with the RNLI for a number of years; and this is the latest version, so we are getting an even better boat."