Ryde Inshore Rescue’s brand new lifeboat will be welcomed on station at Appley later today (Tuesday), ready to begin her operational career as a search and rescue asset helping those in peril on the sea.
The new Ryde Rescue 1 is bigger and faster than its predecessor and is packed full of the latest technology including a thermal imaging camera.
The comparison photo above shows the size difference between the lifeboats, with the newer of the 2 boasting a greater working space, an additional crew member seat and a fully customised operations console.
The life-saving organisation took delivery of the 8m Ribcraft-built vessel in October and have been busy putting it through its paces since. This has included towing other vessels, helicopter winch training with Coastguard Rescue 175 and pushing the boat to its limits in rough seas.
Now, with the crew trained and the lifeboat’s purpose-built trailer complete, she is ready to take pride of place in the boathouse at Appley. Later on today the new Ryde Rescue 1 will arrive on station and become operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The current Ryde Rescue 1 will be leaving the UK and heading to Iceland, where she will continue life as a search and rescue lifeboat.
