Behind-the-scenes work is now well underway for the arrival of the station's new Shannon class lifeboat. We have met with the project engineer for the new boathouse to house the new lifeboat and an environmental study, which has to be completed as part of the planning process, has commenced. We have seen some options for the design of the building and had an opportunity to feed in our own wish list. We hope to be able to set a date for an afternoon next March for a public presentation of the plans; details of the date and venue will be announced nearer the time.
The cost of the new lifeboat has been met by generous donations and legacies including a local appeal which raised £250,000 from supporters and public in the local area and across the UK. The Lifeboat Fund, a civil service charity which has long raised money for lifeboats is also supporting us, aiming to raise £1.1m towards the new boat in its 150th Anniversary Appeal.