Caister Lifeboat's new £1.6m vessel hitting top speeds

That is how Caister Lifeboat's assistant coxswain Richard Thurlow described the lifeboat station's new £1.6m 'world-leading' vessel as he visited its current base on the Isle of Wight.

Over the past year, the new Medina Class vessel - which measures 45 feet - has been under construction with Diverse Marine. 

The 45-feet long vessel is expected to make its Caister homecoming sometime during the summer. Picture - Diverse Marine (Image: Diverse Marine)

The new lifeboat's twin-750 horsepower engines have now topped out at 37.5 knots after they let open in the sea.

Caister's new boat is said to be overperforming at trials, including last month's test in which the vessel's self-righting mechanism was put into action.

The new lifeboat will help the voluntary service carry out rescue operations with greater speed, accuracy and comfort for crew and casualties onboard.

Mr Thurlow said the new machine is "something to be proud of".

The helm of the new £1.6m lifeboat for Caister. Picture - Diverse Marine (Image: Diverse Marine)

"It has been overperforming on a lot of its trials and it is a massive upgrade to our service," he said.

"I've been blown away by it all. There's been a lot of time and effort to build a boat to fit our needs.

"And it really is the first of its class.

Part of Caister Lifeboat onboard their current vessel Bernard Matthews II. (L-R) Assistant coxswain Owen Nutt, first aider Jon Ringwood, chairman Paul Garrod, coxswain Guy Gibson and second coxswain Thomas Williams. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

"Every single detail has had to be ironed out, and we're proud of it.

"I'm also very proud of the team - both our partners in making this boat and our crew for offering their expertise - responsible for creating such an impressive vessel.

"I can't wait to see it in action at home."

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Richard Thurlow (second-from-right) with then-mayor Adrian Thompson, Jenny Thompson and Caister Lifeboat's Guy Gibson and Paul Garrod. Picture - James Weeds (Image: Archant 2022)

The new lifeboat will briefly come to Great Yarmouth at the end of June before returning to the Isle of Wight for final trials. 

The vessel is expected to be in the hands of Caister Lifeboat sometime in August.

While the final trials take place later in the summer, a new trailer will be built in Great Yarmouth and galvanised in Essex before coming to Caister in time for the new vessel's homecoming.

Caister Lifeboat'sd new Medina Cloass vessel has reached speeds of 37.5 knots during its ongoing sea trials. Picture - Diverse Marine (Image: Diverse Marine)