The arrival of a new lifeboat on station is an exciting time and greatly anticipated by the crew and the community from which they come. But what will she be like?For many, the RiverTamar simply marks the point where Devon ends and Cornwall begins (or vice-versa) but it will now become known as the place from which the latest class of RNLI lifeboat has emerged.

After seven years of development, the Tamar (class) has now flowed far from its source to Tenby in Pembrokeshire and Peterhead in Grampian before making a return to the SouthWest and Padstow in the autumn.

These three stations are the first to receive one of the state-of-the-art 'fly-by-wire' lifeboats.

Jim Reid, who was part of Peterhead's lifeboat crew for 28 years, describes his feelings about past new arrivals: 'When I first volunteered in 1958, we went to sea in a Watson class lifeboat. She had an open cockpit but was a great sea boat, so when the RNLI wanted to introduce a Solent class lifeboat, the crew didn't want to change. It was a case of "better the devil you know".

Yet when the bad weather came and theSolent rolled gunwale to gunwale with the waves crashing over her covered wheelhouse, the crew all began to laugh: they were bone dry and grateful for the modernised lifeboat. Every new RNLI lifeboat has been an improvement on the last which, partnered with the dedicated crew, provides the great service I am proud to be part of.' As the Lifeboat has described in past issues, new crew members have a structured probationary period (see autumn 2005) and all crew members work through a competence-based training scheme throughout their lifeboating 'career' (see spring 2006). But when a crew are to take on a different class of all weather lifeboat from that which they are used to, even the most experienced must receive specialist training if they are to get the best from the boat and remain safe at sea. This is even more important if they are amongst the first ever to operate that class of lifeboat! Meeting for the first time Pre-commissioning training (PCT) takes place at The Lifeboat College in Poole and introduces the crew to their new lifeboat.

First, the station mechanic and their deputies come for five days to learn about the intricacies of the engines, sensors and systems. The mechanic is then joined by the coxswain and three experienced crew members for an intensive week. During standard training, crew will undertake individual units from a portfolio of separate courses but the PCT throws everything at them! (See panel top right.) The crew need to become confident, both in their own abilities and that of their new boat, first in controlled conditions and then when things are less 'ideal'. While most of us might visit Poole and hope for good weather, as the PCT trainees progress they look for something rougher to test their skills and the boat's ability. For expert technical advice throughout the course, the RNLI's own naval architects and engineers, who were instrumental in the development of the lifeboat, are on hand. The trainees' feedback will also prove useful in future boat design work.Homeward bound The ultimate test comes at the end of the course when the crew, accompanied by an inspector from their home division, sail their lifeboat home - no matter how far away that may be. Tenby's Training Coordinator Bob James says: 'Our boys encountered some pretty challenging conditions coming back, but our magnificent new lifeboat, Haydn Miller, lived up to every expectation and they found she handled brilliantly. She is not only amazing to look at but a safe powerhouse in the sea. Everyone is over the moon.' En route home, the Tenby boat visited Padstow so that the crew there could have a sneak preview of the Tamar. Padstow Coxswain Alan Tarby says: 'The boat handled beautifully. We've seen "ours" in her selfrighting trials down at the DHL boatyard and we're very excited.' As the Lifeboat went to print Padstow crew were due to have completed their own PCT in Poole and sailed Spirit of Padstow home.

RNLI Training Divisional Inspector for Scotland, Paul Jennings, says: 'It's essential to provide our volunteer crews with the best training possible. The triumphant arrival of Peterhead's new generation of lifeboat was a wonderful moment, culminating with cheers from a crowd of well-wishers as she docked.' Volunteer Crew Member Patrick Davidson says: 'After enduring severe gale force 9 winds on the passage home I have total faith in the new lifeboat, which is a big statement after only being onboard for two weeks. I feel privileged and proud to have the most technically advanced boat in the fleet and trust that her increased capabilities can only save more lives.' The early days Once home, the freshly trained crew have a chance to pass on their knowledge to their colleagues. Only when the divisional inspector is happy that all the crew are competent and the safety-critical equipment onboard is working effectively will the new lifeboat be classed as 'on station'. Support will be on hand for any teething problems.

The only sadness accompanying such momentous occasions is the farewell to the trusty old Tyne class lifeboats that have served for so many years. Tenby's RFA Sir Galahad, Peterhead's Babs and Agnes Robertson and Padstow'sJames Burrough will be withdrawn to the relief fleet and/or sold.

Longhope, Cramer and Barrow are next on the list for a Tamar - watch this space! (See previous issues of the Lifeboat for details of the Tamar's development and regarding Tenby's new boathouse.)The Tamar class PCT schedule Mechanics Day 1 Course introduction, technical brief, boat tour, SIMS Day 2 Engine construction.ventilation, fuel system, raw water system, fresh water system, oil system, engine starting Day 3 Gearbox and shafting, radamac, hydraulic ring main, hydraulic fan, trim tabs, bow thrusters Day 4 Electrics, shore power, generator set, machinery drills brief, air conditioning and domestics, engine management systems/sensors, at sea for machinery drills Day 5 Fire systems, bilge system, debrief Coxswain and crew Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day5 Welcome/introduction, boat design brief, lifeboat tour, SIMS brief, SIMS consolidation, boat handling Fire fighting brief, SIMS machinery, steering and electrical failure, sea drills Best face forward - crew photo!, VHF/MF/DF, conventional navigation, prepare for sea, sea drills Electrics, single engine running, passage planning and SIMS, Solent NAVEX and night exercise Prepare for sea, technical debrief, course debrief, depart on passage homeTHE DETAIL Each Tamar lifeboat cost approximately £2.5M to build.

ON-1280(16-01) Peter and Lesley-jane Nicholson Named 6 July 2005 Entered the relief fleet 7 December 2005 Funded by the legacies of Mrs Margaret Mary Cripps, Miss Joan Wood, Mrs Gladys Jean Thompson, Mrs Tessa Gladys Florence Jacobs, Mrs Lydia Scarf and Miss Eileen Mary Bate ON-1281 (16-02) Haydn Miller Named 25 June 2006 On station at Tenby 28 April 2006 Funded by the legacy of Mr Haydn G Miller ON-1282(16-03) The Misses Robertson ofKintail Named 11 May 2006 On station at Peterhead 28 April 2006 Funded by The Robertson Trust (as was the previous Peterhead lifeboat, both lifeboats pictured above) ON-1283(16-04) Spirit of Padstow Named due 17 September 2006 On station at Padstow date tbc Funded by the HB Allen Charitable Trust Each PCT trainee's place costs approximately £2,100.

See rnli.org.uk/crewtraining.