New RNLI lifeboat amid talks on station's future

Douglas RNLI is to get a new lifeboat as a "interim solution" while talks continue over station's future.

A Trent class all-weather lifeboat will replace the current Mersey class - a vessel that was introduced in 1988 and is set to be withdrawn from service later this year.

The decision follows a review launched in October to determine the most appropriate lifeboat to serve the Manx capital.

Regional head Jo Partner said move would ensure the "continuity" of the service while discussions with the government about the long-term future of the branch continued.

The update follows longstanding infrastructure issues at the organisation's Douglas boathouse and ongoing negotiations over new one.

A decision to allocate a faster Shannon class lifeboat to the station to replace the "aging Mersey" had been made in 2016.

Since then the lifeboat station has operated beyond life expectancy, leaving the crew to use a temporary facility on the quayside.

The current vessel is based on a liner berth because of a safety issue with a winch in the boathouse itself.

Announcing the interim measures, the RNLI said it hoped the new vessel would be operational in the spring after the formal licence for the liner berth had been issued by the Department of Infrastructure.

The creation of the RNLI, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2024, was first proposed by Douglas resident Sir William Hillary in 1823.

Ms Partner said the organisation recognised the historic significance of Douglas "alongside the current lifesaving impact the lifeboat station had" in the area.

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