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Take a look at the Channel Islands' new all-weather lifeboat

Each of the Channel Islands will get a new Shannon-class lifeboat - one of the RNLI's most advanced all-weather rescue vessels.

Three Shannon-class lifeboats will join the Channel Islands fleet in 2027 and early 2028.

To prepare, RNLI relief lifeboat 13-26 John Metters has been visiting Alderney, St Helier and St Peter Port this week, giving crews hands-on experience of the Shannon's cutting-edge technology, systems and layout before the new lifeboats enter service.

Alex Scott is a Cockswain Mechanic; he told us how different she is to drive:

"I'm very impressed. 

"It's much more manoeuvrable. The Tamar is great, but because it's designed for a slipway launch the rudders are in tunnels and are quite small. This one, because of the jets, can turn on its own axis.

"As part of the familiarisation, we went out yesterday; we were doing some turns, we did a crash stop, and the boat stopped within its own length from full speed.

"It's smaller and lighter and has a much shallower draft as well, so around our rocky coastline this draws 1 metre as opposed to 2 metres; we'll be able to get into places we can't currently get into with the Tamar. 

"Much more manoeuvrable, much more responsive. Looking forward to getting our hands on one."

If it capsizes, it will automatically right itself, and inside, there is suspension seating, touch screens which can be transferred if one fails, and wireless headsets, so the crew can move about.

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