THE Western Isles is to be given a new lifeboat. Leverburgh RNLI’s new Shannon-class vessel – named the Stella and Humfrey Berkeley – was launched into the water for the first time at the RNLI’s lifeboat centre in Poole this week.
The RNLB Stella and Humfrey Berkeley is the 13th Shannon to roll off the RNLI’s production line. Each costs £2.2 million to build and is capable of reaching speeds up to 25 knots.
The lifeboat will now be put through sea trials in and around Poole, with arrival at Leverburgh on Harris scheduled for April 21. An official naming ceremony is planned for Saturday July 14. It is anticipated the boat will enter service during the first week of May.