Whitby RNLI's new lifeboat will save lives at sea quicker
It's set to receive a Shannon class next year, replacing its current Trent class
Whiby RNLI says its new lifeboat will mean they can save lives at sea more quickly.
Next year, it is set to receive a Shannon class which will replace its current Trent craft.
The charity says she will be equipped with the latest technology, fast and agile to rescue people in danger.
Howard Fields, Coxswain of Whitby RNLI, said: "The Shannon is an up-to-date modern vessel. The Trent's been with us now for 27 but it's due for replacement. The main difference is that it's slightly shorter, slightly less tall and it'll be propelled by water jets rather than propellers.
"The RNLI run an all-weather lifeboat fleet of 25 knots so we will be a little bit quicker than we are now but with modern technology on the vessel with more efficient engines, it's lighter and costs less to run.
"There's additional training like boat handling, equipment and mechanical training but the volunteers are trained for lifeboating. A lot of the items are what we carry now so there's a lot of cross-training that won't be required but there'll be some intensive trainings for quite a few weeks when the vessel does arrive.
"We lie on a very strategic part of the coast. We face due north and we have a lot of visitors into the town, we have a commercial fishing fleet and the merchant vessels that pass come very close. We're in a very, very busy stretch of water here in Whitby."