Following weeks of speculation around the waterfront the RNLI has finally confirmed that Falmouth is to get a new Shannon Class lifeboat.

This will replace the ageing Severn Class boat Richard Cox Scott, which has been on station here for 23 years providing sterling service.

The RNLI said: “Falmouth RNLI will receive the RNLI’s newest, state of the art Shannon class lifeboat in 2025, replacing the current, Severn class lifeboat, Richard Cox Scott which is reaching the end of its operational life.”

The Richard Cox Scott is fitted with Caterpillar engines whilst a majority of the Severn fleet have MTU engines. A major refit of the lifeboat including new engines would be over £1 million.

The Shannon boats, with a speed of 25 knots, cost £2.2m to build. The Shannon lifeboat was designed to be launched and recovered from a beach and can also be launched from a slipway or lie afloat.

Whilst the Severn is the largest lifeboat in the RNLI fleet at 17 metres long, the Shannon is the smallest of the ALB (all-weather lifeboats) at 13 metres long.

I am sure that like other stations where a change of lifeboat occurs, or a station is downgraded to just an inshore lifeboat, the crews are sometimes understandably upset by the decisions.

However, what the Shannon lacks in length, the technology in this futuristic lifeboat is of a higher standard.

The Shannon is the latest class of all-weather lifeboat to join 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 charity harnessed cutting-edge technology to ensure this new lifeboat meets the demands of a 21st century rescue service.

Nick Lewis, RNLI lifeboat operations manager at Falmouth, said: ‘This is really exciting news for the station and the crew are looking forward to welcoming the new Shannon class lifeboat into Falmouth, where we will have a period of training and familiarisation before the lifeboat goes officially on service in 2025."

The Shannon will work alongside the station’s current Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat to provide all weather cover to the port of Falmouth and beyond.

Dickon Berriman, RNLI area operations manager, said: "Falmouth is one of the busiest lifeboat stations in Cornwall and the volunteer crew respond to incidents ranging from paddle boarders caught out by the conditions, to yachts and commercial fishing boats.

"The Shannon is the right vessel to take them into the RNLI’s next century of lifesaving."

The Shannon is propelled by water jets rather than traditional propellers, making it extremely manoeuvrable and agile.

It also has other features which makes it an ideal lifeboat for the types of incidents the crew respond to, including the operating system, which allows each crew member access to navigational and systems information from any position within the wheelhouse, making it the most versatile vessel in the RNLI’s fleet.

The Shannon’s system also means that crew spend less time standing up and moving around the lifeboat and so are less prone to injury in rough weather.

With an ability to operate extremely well in both deep and shallower water, the Shannon is a versatile asset that will work well alongside the station’s Atlantic 85 within the river environments that make up part of Falmouth’s area of operation (River Fal, Percuil River and Helford River).

The current Severn class lifeboat has served the station for 23 years. While a refit was considered to extend its operational life, it would be a significant investment for the charity.

This presented an opportunity for the RNLI to re-look at the changing demands of its lifesaving service and what is the best lifesaving asset for Falmouth.

The decision to replace the Severn with a Shannon ensures a sustainable future for all-weather lifeboat cover in the area and makes best use of the charity’s funds.

Nick added: "While a final training schedule is yet to be confirmed, it’s likely that we will have two all-weather lifeboats in Falmouth for the next few months while the training is carried out.

"Richard Cox Scott has served our station and the waters around Falmouth for the last 23 years and she will be greatly missed. We’re looking forward to a new chapter in lifesaving at Falmouth RNLI."