Caister Lifeboat: Medina-class vessel expected later in year

The £1.6m Medina-class lifeboat, which is currently housed at the shipyard of builders' Diverse Marine in the Isle of Wight, was originally scheduled to be on home waters by the end of summer.

However, minor "teething issues" with other parts of Caister Voluntary Lifeboat Service's equipment upgrades have pushed back the vessel's homecoming.

Caister Lifeboat's new Medina-class vessel housed in the Isle of Wight. Picture - Diverse Marine (Image: Diverse Marine)Chairman Paul Garrod said: "The boat is absolutely fantastic.

"We were very pleased with how she performed back in August at our Lifeboat Day, and our visitors really enjoyed seeing a little of what she can in the water.

"However, it's not like buying a Ford Sierra where many are pushed off a production line. She's one-of-a-kind and everything has to be perfect for her to be fully operational.

"We're very excited for when she makes it home and we're keeping busy while we wait."

Caister Lifeboat crew inside the station on Beach Road. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)The construction of the new 45-foot-long vessel, which began at the end of 2022, comes as the Lifeboat has invested millions in equipment and facility upgrades, including a refurbished £250,000 tractor and a bespoke trailer for the new boat.

The new lifeboat, which is yet to be named, impressed visitors at its sea trials earlier in the year.

Caister Lifeboat will be one of many services welcoming the arrival of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston RNLI's new Shannon Class RNLB 13-44 on Saturday. 

From 1.20pm, the new RNLI boat will arrive at Gorleston pier escorted by lifeboats from other nearby stations, including the all-weather boat Samarbeta and the in-shore craft John Rowntree.

The vessels will then complete a display before heading into Gorleston harbour.

Once the lifeboats are moored up, the station will be open to the public to walk around and take a look at the legacy lifeboat.