BARMOUTH’S brand new RNLI Shannon lifeboat the Ella Larsen is due to arrive in the next fortnight.

Crowds are expected to line the beach and lifeboats from Aberdyfi, Criccieth and Pwllheli will escort her in as she arrives by sea at approximately 11am on Sunday, 10 March.

After further crew training, she will take over from the Station’s Mersey class all-weather (ALB) lifeboat the Moira Barrie which has looked after lifesaving in Cardigan Bay for over 26 years since her arrival in 1992.

The new £2.2m Shannon class lifeboat is the first modern all-weather lifeboat to be propelled by waterjets instead of traditional propellers, making her the most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat yet.

Reaching top speeds of 25 knots, the Shannon is nearly 50 per cent faster than the Mersey, giving crews the ability to reach those in need even faster.

Additionally, the Shannon can turn in her own length or stop almost instantly, making going alongside a vessel to take off casualties a much safer option.

Launching the new boat is much improved too.

Measuring just over 13m in length, the Shannon can be launched off the beach via a new and improved launch and recovery system.

See this week’s north editions for the full story, in shops and online on Thursday