RNLI announce a new era of lifesaving in the Channel Islands

Over the next three years, RNLI lifeboat crews in Alderney, St Peter Port and St Helier will receive the newest, state of the art, modern Shannon class all weather lifeboat which will replace each station’s current all weather lifeboat. The changes will allow RNLI lifeboat crews to respond effectively to the changing way people and visitors to the Islands are using the water and save the greatest number of lives in the most effective way. 

The Shannon is the latest class of all-weather lifeboat in the RNLI fleet. Designed entirely in house by a team of RNLI engineers and built at the RNLI’s all weather lifeboat centre in Poole, Dorset, the Shannon includes the very latest in lifesaving technology, including enhanced navigation tools which allows each crew member access to navigational and systems information from any position within the wheelhouse.

The Shannon is propelled by water jets, rather than traditional propellers, making them extremely manoeuvrable and agile with an ability to operate well in both deep and shallow water. The Shannon is a versatile asset that will enhance the RNLI’s current lifesaving capabilities in the waters around the Channel Islands.

Adrian Carey, RNLI Head of Region for the south west, said

‘I am delighted to be able to share this news with our volunteers. The changes to all three all-weather lifeboats across the three Islands to provide the most up to date lifeboat and technology signifies the commitment and investment of the RNLI in lifesaving in the Channel Islands, and puts our volunteers in the best position as we enter our third century of saving lives at sea.

‘Having the same class of all-weather lifeboat across the three Islands means there is a standardisation of technology and equipment, improving the resilience of the RNLI fleet. It means qualified technicians can respond and support between the Islands, and store critical spares and parts, reducing the reliance on delivery from the UK. Our volunteer lifeboat crew can also travel between the Islands to take advantage of training opportunities, which cuts down on the travel time and time away from their families and day jobs.’

The changes to lifeboats in the Channel Islands is part of a wider lifeboat fleet strategy that will be rolled out in 2026/2027 with twenty lifeboat stations out of the 238 which operate around the UK and Ireland impacted, primarily with changes from one class of all-weather lifeboat to another.

A key part of the RNLI’s consideration has been seeking to better understand what capabilities are needed from the RNLI’s lifeboat fleet and which lifeboats could deliver these capabilities. The work to answer these questions has drawn on a combination of in-depth data, insights and specialist knowledge.  This has enabled options to be explored and decisions made around the fleet configuration required to meet different scenarios.

Peter Sparkes, RNLI Chief Executive, said:

‘For over 200 years, the RNLI has been a charity with a simple mission, to save lives at sea. Clear evidence shows the nature of lifesaving is changing, at a time when demand for our vital service is increasing – we must respond to this.

‘If the RNLI is going to save even more lives, our lifeboat and lifeguard services must continue to adapt to these changing needs, we have a responsibility to spend our donor’s money in the right areas and where it will best meet the changing nature of lifesaving demand. Our lifeboat fleet strategy provides us with the principles and information to make these decisions.

‘We have reviewed and adjusted our lifeboat fleet and the placement of our lifeboats to meet the changing needs of our volunteers, supporters and communities we serve.

‘We need to have confidence that the decisions we make now set us on a sustainable trajectory that is appropriate for the changing nature of lifesaving demand. This is fundamental if we are to achieve our goal of a future-fit, sustainable lifesaving service that keeps our people safe and enables us to save every one we can.’

Alongside the all-weather lifeboat changes which are part of the wider lifeboat fleet strategy, the current Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboats at St Peter Port, S Helier and St Catherines will be modernised to better support the volunteer crew. The lifeboats will be upgraded with whole-body vibration (WBV)-reducing and capability enhancing improvements including wireless communication and lifeboat management system which will ensure that the lifeboats are optimised for safety and performance.

Notes to Editors

A stock image of a Shannon class lifeboat is attached.

Changes to the RNLI lifeboat fleet in the Channel Islands;