Fowey to receive fastest class of lifeboat

Fowey RNLI is to be given one of the charity's fastest class of lifeboat this summer.

The RNLI said the Cornish town's current Trent lifeboat, the Maurice and Joyce Hardy (ALB 14-18), is to be replaced with an Atlantic class vessel.

The charity said the Maurice and Joyce Hardy is one of the last operational Trent class lifeboats in its fleet.

When the vessel is retired after 30 years of service, it will be replaced by a new Atlantic 85 B Class inshore lifeboat, the RNLI added.

The charity said the Atlantic 85 lifeboat has a top speed of 35 knots (42mph) and although an inshore lifeboat, it can also handle challenging open sea conditions.

It said the lifeboat is "ideal for rescues close to shore, near cliffs and rocks" – areas inaccessible to all-weather lifeboats.

Tom Mansell, RNLI lifesaving operations lead, said "the sea use around Fowey has changed over the years".

He said the Atlantic 85 was better suited to the type of callouts the Fowey crew had from the area's mix of larger and smaller craft, paddleboarders, kayakers and swimmers.

Chris Ogg, RNLI lifeboat operations manager at Fowey, said: "The station and crew are looking forward to the introduction of the Atlantic 85.

"It's a new challenge and will ensure the lifeboat station has the most appropriate asset for the types of service it deals with and will secure the future of Fowey lifeboat station."

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