Supporters donated generously for her construction, volunteers gave their time to trial her, and the RNLI’s project team worked day and night. Now a new class of all-weather lifeboat has become a reality after the first Shannon entered the lifeboat fleet over the Summer.

She’s designed to face the worst of weather conditions, but the Jock and Annie Slater was blessed on a sunny day at the RNLI College pontoon in Poole, Dorset. Taking her name from the RNLI’s former chairman Sir Jock Slater and his wife Lady Annie Slater (who officially named her at the event), the first Shannon class will be a relief vessel – ready to replace other Shannon class lifeboats when they are taken off service for maintenance or repair. The first station Shannon class lifeboat will go on service at Dungeness, Kent, in early 2014.

This new generation of lifeboats is replacing a selection of Mersey class lifeboats, which first came into service in 1988 and are now reaching the end of their planned 25-year RNLI lifespan. Like the Mersey, the Shannon is designed to be launched and recovered from a beach – but can also lie afloat if necessary.

The Shannon was designed in-house by RNLI naval architects who have harnessed cutting-edge technology. It’s the first modern all-weather RNLI lifeboat to use waterjets, which give her excellent manoeuvrability – as demonstrated when the lifeboat turned full circle following the naming ceremony (pictured). The introduction of the Shannon class is the final step in enabling the RNLI to fulfil its commitment to ensure that all its operational all-weather lifeboats have a top speed of 25 knots. It all gives our volunteer crews the speed, safety and support they need to save more lives at sea, thanks to our generous donors.