A little video of the new RNLI Clacton Lifeboat
About the lifeboat
Name: RNLB Chris and Jo West
Funding: The vessel was funded by a donation from Chris and Jo West, who were inspired to donate after witnessing a rescue at sea.
Service: The lifeboat officially went into active service on March 27, 2025. Its first service call occurred on April 26, 2025, when it rescued a yacht that had been demasted.
Technology: The Shannon-class is the most technologically advanced lifeboat in the RNLI’s fleet. It is powered by waterjets rather than propellers and is designed to handle extreme weather conditions.
How they are built:
More information about the boat: This is a time-stamped video of the Shannon-class vessel.
Blessing: Fr Matt Simpkins, as Vicar of Clacton St James with Jaywick St Christopher. gave the Blessing.
I hope you enjoyed the clip.
The North Sea where this is based is an unforgiving and brutal workplace for these brave volunteers as this video shows. Some do not make it home! RIP to these heroes.
As an aside a very long time ago I built this replica of an Atlantic 85 for fun to use in Second Life. Check it out. I called it the Tamar 85.
Here is the real thing:
And here is my homage:
Have fun and happy days
Surfwidow