RNLI can brave the 'fiercest' weather with new boat

The new boat was unveiled at Clacton-on-Sea on Saturday afternoon

The arrival of a new lifeboat would allow crews to brave "the fiercest weather conditions", the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said.

It was unveiled at Clacton-on-Sea, in Essex, on Saturday afternoon after being built in Dorset.

The lifeboat charity said its lifesaving capabilities across the Tendring coastline were strengthened thanks to the new vessel.

"We hope to bring many loved ones safely home in this new lifeboat," said Lisa Parker, the lifeboat operations manager at RNLI Clacton.

Six crew members will be able to board the new Shannon class lifeboat

The lifeboat charity said its lifesaving capabilities across the Tendring coastline were strengthened thanks to the new vessel

Offering space for six crew members, it was built to reach a top speed of 25 knots (28mph) and has a range of 250 nautical miles (287 miles).

The Shannon lifeboat was built at the RNLI's base in Poole, Dorset

The lifeboat was funded by a donation from a couple who were inspired after witnessing a rescue at sea

Mark Walsham, RNLI Clacton's press officer, said the lifeboat marked a new era for the station, which opened in 1878.

"This state-of-the-art lifeboat is built and equipped to brave the fiercest weather conditions and has a significantly longer service range," he said.

"This highly capable lifeboat, piloted by our volunteer crews, will continue our charity's principal aims of saving lives at sea."

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.

Ms Parker said she was "incredibly honoured" to receive the vessel, and thanked Mr and Mrs West and the station's past volunteers for their efforts.