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RNLI to Deploy New Lifeboats Across Five Devon Stations by 2030
By Drooid · · How we work
Fleet Modernisation Plan
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has outlined a programme to replace vessels at five Devon lifeboat stations by 2030. Plymouth will be among the first UK stations to receive the new “Coastal” design, which will replace its existing large Severn-class boat. Salcombe and Torbay are slated to receive new Shannon-class all-weather lifeboats, while Appledore has already been fitted with a Shannon-class vessel. Ilfracombe will transition to an Atlantic 85 Mk3 high-speed rigid inflatable boat, superseding its current larger Shannon-class craft.
Rationale and Data
The RNLI’s decision is based on operational data indicating that most rescue incidents now occur within the range of inshore lifeboats. Between 2017 and 2025, the charity recorded that 98 % of its responses were launched from locations no farther than 10 nautical miles (approximately 11.5 miles or 18.8 km) from shore. This shift in incident geography underpins the move toward smaller, faster vessels capable of rapid deployment close to the coastline.
Expected Impact on Rescue Operations
By aligning vessel capabilities with incident patterns, the RNLI anticipates maintaining or improving response times while enhancing crew safety. The new Coastal design is intended to combine the range of larger all-weather boats with the agility of inshore craft, offering a versatile platform for varied sea conditions. The Atlantic 85 Mk3’s high-speed profile is expected to reduce arrival times for incidents near the shore, complementing the all-weather Shannon-class fleet that will continue to serve more distant or severe weather scenarios.
Official Response
RNLI officials described the fleet upgrade as a strategic response to evolving rescue demands, emphasizing that the new boats will better match the “majority of incidents” now occurring close to shore. The charity highlighted that the programme will be rolled out progressively, with the first new vessels expected to enter service within the next few years and the full replacement completed by the 2030 target.