Shannon-class lifeboat comes into service at RNLI Clacton
A high-end RNLI lifeboat that will help crews navigate treacherous weather conditions has come into service.The all-weather vessel began operations in Clacton on Thursday, after it was unveiled by the Essex crew in November 2024.With greater power and capacity than the resort's inshore lifeboats, the new vehicle will allow crews to cover more of the Tendring coastline."We're doing well with volunteer numbers – nearly 40 volunteer crew – all at different stages of training, including enough with skills to allow us to be on service across the Tendring coastline," said RNLI Clacton's Mark Walsham.
Known as a Shannon-class lifeboat, it was made using £1.1m of materials and was designed specifically to save lives at sea.It uses water jets rather than propellers for manoeuvrability and can return itself to an upright position if it capsizes.The lifeboat was funded by a donation from Chris and Jo West, a couple who witnessed a rescue at sea and felt inspired by what they saw. It has ben named after them."The Shannon lifeboat with its extended range and ability to cope with more severe weather conditions can and will serve those in need for the future," Mr Walsham added.
Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
RNLI crew in dramatic rescue of four paddleboarders in North Sea
The lifeboat crew were scrambled after vessel got into difficulty off the coast of Stonehaven. Four paddleboarders have been rescued from the North Sea by the RNLI after getting into difficulty. The town's RNLI volunteer crew were called to the incident off the coast of Stonehaven at around 8.15pm on Tuesday, June 3, and dispatched the lifeboat to reach their reported location. Crew members quickly located the first paddleboarder before making their way to the three remaining individuals who had drifted further out to sea, reports Aberdeen Live. Dramatic footage shared by the RNLI captured the moment the quartet were rescued from the challenging conditions, with all four safely transferred onto the lifeboat for initial casualty care. They were taken back to shore at Catterline Harbour and handed over to the care of HM Coastguard and the Scottish Ambulance Service. Montrose RNLI's all-weather lifeboat was also tasked by the Coastguard to support the incident yesterday at around 8.18pm, before being stood down at 9.34pm. Stonehaven RNLI had successfully retrieved the casualties, while the Montrose-based team located a missing paddleboard to prevent any further call outs. Kenny Jones, volunteer helm at Stonehaven RNLI, said: "Thankfully the casualties had their mobile phones with them and knew to call the coastguard when they got into difficulties. "The weather conditions off our coast can change really quickly and what starts as an adventure can quickly go wrong. It is so important that people have the equipment and knowledge they need. "Life jackets, mobile phones, VHF radios and bright clothing are simple things people can buy to help their safety but knowledge of the tides, weather forecasts, local conditions and experience are crucial when planning a trip to enjoy our beautiful coastline. "If anyone sees someone in difficulty on the coast, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard."
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to avoid watering plants at specific time of day in June
As temperatures are predicted to soar this summer, a gardening expert provides a crucial warning over a common watering error many Brits make when caring for their plants In the midst of the summer heat most of us are inclined to give our plants an extra helping of water – but an expert warns that watering them at the wrong time of day can be futile. Britain is twice as likely to have a hot summer in 2025, based on data from the Met Office. This means as temperatures rise and the sun makes a more frequent appearance, many British gardeners are finally seeing their plants come into bloom. However, it also increases the risk of plants becoming dehydrated. Depending on when you water your plants, they may not be receiving a sufficient amount of hydration. This can in turn leave them looking lacklustre and even vulnerable to disease. Common symptoms of dehydration in plants include droopy, wilted leaves, browning tissue and stunted growth. You may also see less fruits or flowers being produced. Chris Cooper, a gardening expert from Hayter, says:'If you're experiencing a dry summer so far where you are…then watering is a crucial step towards a thriving garden. However, it can be seriously tempting to overcompensate for the hot weather and end up overwatering. He continues: 'Not to mention wasting water, the roots of plants that have been overwatered can suffocate, leading to nasty afflictions like root rot, yellowing leaves and fungal diseases: the opposite of what you want to see in a thriving garden!' To avoid this issue, Chris advises watering plants in either the early morning or late evening. This way your plants won't be exposed to too much direct sunlight. The reason why this is important is because afternoon temperatures can cause much of the water to evaporate before it even reaches the roots. Which ultimately means that your plants aren't being sufficiently hydrated. This in turn can lead to gardeners giving them too much water to compensate, which prevents them from taking in oxygen and makes them more vulnerable to issues like leaf scorch. In extreme cases, overwatering can even lead to plants dying When watering, Chris also advises to 'focus on the base of your plants', which will help direct water to the roots. He adds that you should 'prioritise plants in containers, pots and hanging baskets.' Plants in baskets or other containers need to be prioritised as they have no other water source besides the pots they are placed in. This makes them more vulnerable to damage. Another issue to be on the lookout for in warm weather is the increased presence of weeds. The heat and sunlight will allow them to proliferate faster, which can redirect precious nutrients from your plants. To stop the spread, Chris suggests pulling weeds from the ground as soon as you spot them, as that way they're easier to remove. They can even be used as compost after!
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Daily Record
Family and two dogs saved from Edinburgh beauty spot by RNLI after being 'trapped'
Lifeboat crews from receiving a report that one adult, two children and two dogs were cut off by the tide. A family and their two dogs had to be rescued by lifeboats from a popular Edinburgh beauty spot. On Monday May 26 at around 12.42pm on May 26, lifeboat crews from Queensferry raced to Cramond Island after receiving a report that one adult, two children and two dogs were cut off by the tide. The lifeboat launched in strong winds, and the crews rescued the casualties safely. No injuries were reported, according to Edinburgh Live. The RNLI has warned those planning on visiting the coast to check the tide times and bring a means for calling for help. RNLI Queensferry posted on social media: "At 12.42 on Monday 26th May, at the request of HM Coastguard, Queensferry RNLI lifeboat and volunteer crew responded to reports of one adult, two children and two dogs cut off by the tide on Cramond Island. "The lifeboat launched in strong winds and moderate seas. Crew recovered the casualties, who were well and uninjured, to the lifeboat and brought them to Cramond Village to be met by the Queensferry Coastguard Team. "If you are planning a visit to the coast, we advise that you check the tide times and always bring a means for calling for help. "Always check signage or text CRAMOND to 81400 for the day's safe crossing times. In an emergency, do not attempt to wade through rising water. Instead, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard." On Sunday, in a separate incident, we reported that a person was airlifted to hospital after a family got into serious trouble in the water at a popular Scots beauty spot over the weekend. Emergency services launched a major response on Saturday afternoon after reports of people struggling in the sea at Tyninghame Beach in East Lothian. Three individuals were pulled from the water - one of whom required urgent medical attention. A search and rescue helicopter from HM Coastguard landed directly on the beach to airlift the most seriously injured casualty to hospital, while paramedics treated the two others at the scene. Dunbar's RNLI crew were dispatched at around 2.40pm on May 24 after the group became caught in a powerful rip current. An experienced surfer, who happened to be nearby, played a vital role in the rescue - bringing the family back to shore before lifeboat crews arrived. Jamie Forrester, helm at Dunbar RNLI, said: 'When we arrived, all three casualties needed medical help—one of them was in a particularly bad way. We did what we could until the helicopter and ambulance crews arrived. "Tyninghame Beach is known for its dangerous rip currents, which can be hard to spot. This was a stark reminder of how quickly things can go wrong at the coast. Without the quick-thinking surfer, this incident could have ended very differently.' RNLI volunteers remained on the scene until around 3.55pm before returning to their station. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
