All-weather Y boat to cover interim period

AN INTERIM period between the end of the St John inshore rescue boat service and the beginning of the RNLI-offered service will be covered by the all-weather lifeboat’s smaller Y boat.

The RNLI will, at an undetermined time, be trialling the new state-of-the-art Atlantic 85 lifeboat to replace the loss of St John’s inshore boat service. In the meantime the lifeboat’s Y boat will be used.

St John announced on Wednesday that it would be ceasing the operation of its inshore rescue boat in August this year.

The boat was called out three times in 2016 and 2017.

The RNLI will be trialling an 8.5m B Class Atlantic 85 lifeboat in its place for two years but it is unclear when the service will begin.

Member of the lifeboat committee Captain Tony Pattimore said that the smaller Y boat on the Spirit of Guernsey would be deployed during the time period between the services.

‘Having been made aware of the St John issue, we had a chat and considered everything. [The Atlantic 85] is quite a bit bigger than the one it is replacing,’ he said.

The Atlantic 85 is a rigid inflatable inshore lifeboat with space for four crew members.

‘[We will have to wait] Until the RNLI are satisfied we have a fully trained crew. I think we’ll be able to take on everything that St John has in the past. It depends on the quality of the crew. We will probably be applying for additional crew.

‘The Y boat is about two thirds to a half of the size of the one the ambulance is currently using but it is better than nothing,’ he said.

The RNLI area lifesaving manager for the Channel Islands, Liam Krige, said that there was a fair degree of complication in implementing the new service, which will see two lifeboats operating from one station.

‘We need to review our infrastructure and we need to make sure that the volunteers are trained as they will need additional training. The long-term development of the station is something we will constantly review. We are aiming for the boat to be deployed in the fourth quarter. The Y Boat is a suitable replacement, it’s part of the all-weather lifeboat set-up. Depending on sea conditions, it can take two to three casualties on board,’ he said.

The RNLI website states that the Atlantic 85 vessel is ideal for rescues close to shore, near cliffs and rocks and inside caves.

‘Areas [which are] inaccessible to our all-weather lifeboats.

‘The Atlantic 85 is also capable of being beached in an emergency without sustaining damage to her engines,’ it reads.