> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thequarry.media/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # It was seen as inferior, so why is the Shannon class lifeboat now the answer to lifesaving in Guernsey and beyond? - URL: https://www.thequarry.media/it-was-seen-as-inferior-so-why-is-the-shannon-class-lifeboat-now-the-answer-to-lifesaving-in-guernsey-and-beyond/ - Published: 2025-10-07T15:59:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-28T12:14:07.000Z - Description: Dig into the stats which pose fresh questions about RNLI's new lifeboat choice for the Channel Islands - Author: Nick Mann - Tags: News, Dig Deeper Just five years ago, the national RNLI was adamant - it was cheaper to upgrade lifeboats like the Spirit of Guernsey than replace them with a Shannon class that was "significantly smaller and less powerful". Indeed, the Severn class was ideally suited to where it was being used, it said then, and its life could be extended by 25 years. Now the RNLI has announced that the lifeboats in Guernsey, Alderney and Jersey will be replaced by new Shannon class vessels, the very model it was comparing the Severn to in less than glowing terms not so long ago. Today, *The Quarry* makes accessible four year’s worth of rescue data from Guernsey and Alderney, as well as comparisons of the capabilities of the Spirit of Guernsey and the proposed replacement, and recalls some of the larger rescues in local waters, to help explore whether or not the stations across the islands are being downgraded or improved. The move is a noticeable change of direction, especially considering what the RNLI was saying in 2020 in a press release no longer on its website. At the time it was announcing a now largely defunct programme to extend the life of its Severn class fleet, which includes Spirit of Guernsey. Questions remain too about how the new lifeboats will be funded, and the future of the Spirit of Guernsey, largely paid for by local fundraising back in the 1990s. *(A fullscreen version of our map charting lifeboat shouts from St Peter Port and Alderney is freely available* [*here*](https://rnli.thequarry.media/?ref=thequarry.media)*)* ### The case made by the RNLI ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/2025/10/rnli_announce_a_new_era_of_lifesaving_in_the_channel_islands.jpg) Over the next three years, lifeboat stations in [Alderney](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/alderney-lifeboat-station&ved=2ahUKEwjurr3Q9o-QAxUOUqQEHfPNNMgQFnoECAwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3MTrMqWLkubFiNUTQvKJPl), [St Peter Port](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/st-peter-port-lifeboat-station&ved=2ahUKEwi-sf7c9o-QAxVBSKQEHdrPBJAQFnoECB0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw0-eYqiiQLYDpzCFihKnVaA), and [St Helier ](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/st-helier-lifeboat-station&ved=2ahUKEwiR683k9o-QAxWhQaQEHSsHK7YQFnoECD0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1dwrfPV0mGjotReZ00BDCz)will each receive new Shannon class all-weather lifeboats that will replace their current vessels. The [Shannon-class lifeboat](https://rnli.org/what-we-do/lifeboats-and-stations/our-lifeboat-fleet/shannon-class-lifeboat?ref=thequarry.media), designed by RNLI engineers and constructed at their all-weather lifeboat centre in Poole, Dorset, uses water jets rather than traditional propellers which is said to enhance their maneuverability, and allows the Shannon to operate in both deep and shallow waters. It is equipped with “advanced navigation tools that allow crew members to access vital systems information from any location within the wheelhouse”. Adrian Carey, RNLI Head of Region for the south west, said: "The changes to all three all-weather lifeboats across the three islands to provide the most up to date lifeboat and technology signifies the commitment and investment of the RNLI in lifesaving in the Channel Islands." He added: “Having the same class of all-weather lifeboat across the three islands means there is a standardisation of technology and equipment, improving the resilience of the RNLI fleet. It means qualified technicians can respond and support between the islands, and store critical spares and parts, reducing the reliance on delivery from the UK. “Our volunteer lifeboat crew can also travel between the islands to take advantage of training opportunities, which cuts down on the travel time and time away from their families and day jobs.’ The re-evaluation of lifeboat operations in the Channel Islands is part of a much [broader strategy](https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2025/october/02/rnli-evolving-to-meet-lifesaving-demand?ref=thequarry.media) that the RNLI will implement by 2027 looking at its operations around the UK. Twenty lifeboat stations out of the 238 which operate around the UK and Ireland are directly impacted in the first two years. ### What’s the local replacement timetable? - Alderney’s current all weather [Trent class](https://rnli.org/what-we-do/lifeboats-and-stations/our-lifeboat-fleet/trent-class-lifeboat?ref=thequarry.media) lifeboat Inner Wheel II (ON 1245) will change to a Shannon class all weather lifeboat in 2027 - St Peter Port’s current all weather Severn class lifeboat Spirit of Guernsey (ON1703) will change to a Shannon class all weather lifeboat towards the end of 2027 - St Helier’s current all weather [Tamar Class](https://rnli.org/what-we-do/lifeboats-and-stations/our-lifeboat-fleet/tamar-class-lifeboat?ref=thequarry.media) lifeboat George Sullivan (ON1292) will change to a Shannon class all weather lifeboat in 2028 Head of Guernsey Coastguard, James Way, offered support for the move. “The RNLI’s volunteer crews show incredible skill, dedication, and professionalism, often in challenging conditions. "Providing them with the latest, Shannon-class lifeboats ensures they are equipped to respond to emergencies as effectively and safely as possible. Modernising and aligning the fleet across the islands strengthens resilience, enhances cooperation, and ultimately helps to save more lives at sea.” ### What has driven the change? The RNLI said a key part of its consideration has been understanding what capabilities are needed from the RNLI’s lifeboat fleet and which lifeboats could deliver them. It said that the work to answer this has “drawn on a combination of in-depth data, insights and specialist knowledge”. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/2025/10/image.jpg) Peter Sparkes, RNLI Chief Executive, said: “Clear evidence shows the nature of lifesaving is changing, at a time when demand for our vital service is increasing – we must respond to this. “If the RNLI is going to save even more lives, our lifeboat and lifeguard services must continue to adapt to these changing needs… we have reviewed and adjusted our lifeboat fleet and the placement of our lifeboats to meet the changing needs of our volunteers, supporters and communities we serve.” ### How does the data stack up? In announcing the fleet move, the RNLI said that compelling data, provided by RNLI lifeboat crews, lifeguards and partners over many years shows that the majority of incidents the charity’s lifeboats are responding to require the capabilities of an inshore lifeboat. Across all its operations, 98% of the RNLI’s lifeboat response is within 10 nautical miles of the shore, 1.8% is between 10 and 25 nautical miles and just 0.2% of incidents the RNLI responds are at a range greater than 25 nautical miles from the shore. When asked by The Quarry for the Guernsey specific data used when making the decision, the RNLI said: “The 2040 Lifeboat Fleet Strategy has taken a holistic view of what capabilities are needed from the charity’s lifeboat fleet in order to meet the demands on the service. “We have not reviewed individual station launch data in isolation, instead we have used it alongside data from other lifeboat stations to inform what our lifeboat configuration needs to be across a stretch of coastline. “The decisions made have been guided by the principles of the strategy and the capabilities of our ALBs and their required need to ensure we have the right lifeboats in the right places to provide the most effective lifesaving service. “Compelling data, including insights provided by our crews, lifeguards and partners over many years supports the direction of travel. The data shows that the majority of incidents our lifeboats are responding to require the capabilities of an inshore lifeboat.” Guernsey’s inshore lifeboat Harold Hobbs is a B class Atlantic 85 entered service at the start of March 2024\. It is also due an equipment upgrade under the RNLI’s plans. While it did not provide requested data to The Quarry, the RNLI does publish open source data here: [https://data-rnli.opendata.arcgis.com/](https://data-rnli.opendata.arcgis.com/?ref=thequarry.media) This includes “return of service’ information from 2020 to 2024, which we have used to create the [Guernsey and Alderney map](https://rnli.thequarry.media/?ref=thequarry.media) to help explore what the local context is. The RNLI averages they quote are for a nine year period, so there are caveats to any comparisons, and local data can also be influenced by the small sample size. But one of the noticeable differences is the proportion of callouts in the 10 to 25nm range which are higher in Guernsey and Alderney than the national average (6% combined compared to 1.8%). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/2025/10/snapshot-1759764677496.png) ### What about the lifeboat capabilities? **Towing** Overnight on Friday into Saturday during Storm Amy, the Shannon class Oban lifeboat was called [to assist a small yacht that had dragged its anchor](https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2025/october/04/oban-lifeboat-called-out-at-height-of-storm-amy?ref=thequarry.media). After two attempts failing to make headway into the wind which was gusting in excess of 65 knots, the tow was cut. The incident is not just interesting in terms of the towing capability of the Shannon, but the flipside was that the Tobermorey’s Severn class could not help because of the shallow water. There is no published data on towing capabilities, but it is understood that being more powerful and larger means the Severn can tow noticeably heavier craft and it is a regular need in local waters. When asked about the differences in towing capability, the RNLI did not directly answer: "The Shannon lifeboat is very capable for towing. It is the latest class of all-weather lifeboat in the RNLI fleet and includes the very latest in lifesaving technology including enhanced navigation tools which allows each crew member access to navigational and systems information from any position within the wheelhouse." Both the Severn and Shannon have the same top speed, 25 knots, and same range, 250 nautical miles. ### Casualties ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/2025/10/lifeboats.png) The Severn is a bigger vessel, 17.3m long compared to 13.6m for the Shannon. With that comes a much higher maximum capacity for carrying survivors, 124 as opposed to 79 (non self-righting). When asked about this, especially in light of the passenger ferry traffic in local waters, the RNLI said: “In major incidents such as launches to passenger ferries with multiple casualties, other search and rescue assets would also be tasked, potentially including the other Shannon class lifeboats which will be positioned on other islands. “These major incidents are coordinated by Guernsey Coastguard, who will have responsibility for tasking assets and overseeing casualties.” While major passenger ferry incidents are rare, they have happened in Channel Island waters. In 2016 the lifeboat twice was called out to take passengers from Travel Trident V. On 22 April that year Trident was carrying three crew and 35 visitors to Herm when she hit a reef in poor visibility On 8 June, Trident V grounded on a rocky reef on the approach to Herm with 19 passengers on board and three crew. A major sea rescue operation to save 307 passengers and crew happened on 17 April 1995, after the Channiland Saint-Malo hit a rock off the south-western point of Jersey. As the boat took on water, passengers had to jump into liferafts and after a response that included lifeboats, CI Air Search and local vessels, all were safely brought ashore. ### Can a Shannon cover for the marine ambulance? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/2025/10/IMG_7229-Large.jpeg) The RNLI says yes. The Shannon has three different stretchers. The basket stretcher can be securely mounted on the wheelhouse floor. “There is room on board for medical treatment to be undertaken, as our crew sometimes do,” the RNLI said. ### Who pays and why not simply refit the Spirit of Guernsey? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/2025/10/st_peter_port_rnli_are_awarded_the_queens_award_for_voluntary_service.jpg) Picture by Tony Rive The RNLI released no details about the costs involved in the fleet replacement in its initial announcement. Its website says that a Shannon class costs £2.78m. Both Guernsey and Jersey have significant funds accumulated from donors that are held in accounts that can only be used in the respective islands, not by the national operation. It 2017, when moves were being made to establish a new lifeboat service in Jersey, it was reported their restricted fund stood at £7m. The RNLI has not responded to requests for the current levels of the restricted funds in the islands. Last year it cost £190.3m. to run the whole of the RNLI's operation, 238 stations, all funded by the public. "Exact details of how the new Shannon lifeboat will be funded are yet to be confirmed," the RNLI said. In March 2020 the RNLI started to design a Severn Life Extension Programme (SLEP) with the intention of extending the fleet's lifespan by 25 years. "The charity’s expert in-house engineering team has worked in partnership with academic and industry experts, establishing that the lifeboats’ hulls can continue operational service for another 25 years," it said at the time. It involves taking an existing boat and fully refitting it from the hull up, including updated electronics and shock mitigating seats. Six Severn class lifeboats were initially earmarked, with an expected average upgrade cost of £1.25m. "This is significantly less than the cost of designing and building a brand-new class of lifeboat to replace the Severn. For context, a Shannon, which is significantly smaller and not as powerful as the Severn, costs £2.2m to build," the RNLI said when making the announcement. Angus Watson, Engineering and Supply Director, said in 2020: "‘Our Severns are often located in the more remote locations across the UK and Ireland, where the crews are often required to sail out longer distances in the most challenging sea conditions. "Being the largest class of lifeboat, it is well-suited for locations where mass casualty rescues are more likely, and its highly elevated upper steering position and greater length are ideal when negotiating large waves in the roughest seas. "While the systems and technology on board the Severn class need upgrading, the lifeboat’s hull and structure is still ideally suited to the challenging conditions these lifeboats face today. "So rather than spending significantly more money to roll out a brand new class of all-weather lifeboat, supplying stations with upgraded Severn class lifeboats that we know can meet the demands of these challenging stretches of coastline is a much more efficient use of charitable funds, while still ensuring that our volunteer crews have lifeboats absolutely fit for purpose for the next 25 years." But early this year it decided not to continue the programme beyond the two vessels that it had been used for, and instead to withdraw the Severns over the next 15 years. Attempts to find a detail explanation about why a programme announced with so much confidence was scrapped have failed so far. The RNLI did not answer why the replacement programme was not being used for Spirit of Guernsey instead or what other options were considered and rejected. While Guernsey will lose its Severn, they will remain in service elsewhere until 2040. In the announcements made for what happens over the next two years, it was confirmed that Weymouth and Plymouth will retain this class of cover.