Lifeboat cover to return to Douglas next year

The RNLI says it expects lifeboat cover to return to Douglas next year ahead of the planned arrival of a new lifeboat in late 2028.

The charity says it is adapting to the ‘changing nature of lifesaving’ at sea.

A new coastal class vessel is earmarked for the capital but before that an Atlantic 85 class boat will provide interim cover.

Sam Holliday, the RNLI’s Head of Region for Wales, the West and the Isle of Man, said: "We expect there to be life-saving cover out of Douglas at some stage in 2027 before we then move to the coastal lifeboat in the back end of 2028." 

The coastal class lifeboat is a 12.5-metre vessel designed primarily for search and rescue within 10 nautical miles, although it can operate further offshore.

The future of Douglas Lifeboat Station infrastructure is also being considered - it has been out of action for some time as the charity said it plans to rebuild a strong and sustainable team.

The RNLI is working with the Isle of Man’s Department of Infrastructure on a development at Manx Marine where a tender process for fitting out a unit has been completed.

Mr Holliday told Manx Radio the RNLI was assessing interest in the work and hoped to make an award in the near future. 

He said the organisation was working to secure a long-term location for the station and ensure it could sustain a life-saving service from Douglas: