Council leader criticises 'bonkers' lifeboat plans

Plans to replace a coastal city's all-weather lifeboat with a smaller model have been described as "bonkers" by its council leader.

The RNLI confirmed Plymouth would be given a new Coastal class boat in 2030 after the charity had carried out a review of its nationwide fleet. It would replace the Devon city's current Severn-class vessel - the largest in the RNLI's current fleet.

Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans said there had been "no consultation" on the move and it would "diminish" the service the RNLI could offer from the city.

The BBC has approached the RNLI for comment, but the charity previously said the new Coastal class model was more sustainable and cost-effective.

The charity also said the "majority of incidents" were now within reach of an inshore lifeboat.

Under the RNLI's plans, Appledore, Salcombe and Torbay will get new Shannon class all-weather boats.

Ilfracombe will get a new Atlantic 85 Mk3 craft, a high-speed rigid inflatable, to replace its current, larger Shannon class boat.

Evans, who is head of the council's ruling Labour group, said: "It's all very well saying there will be an all-weather boat in Salcombe, or in a part of Cornwall, but that doesn't mean the boat for Plymouth isn't required.

"The French boat incident demonstrated that."

He was referring to the sinking of the Maranello trawler off the coast of Plymouth in August as an example of what can happen in local waters.

At the time, a helicopter, plane and lifeboats were all launched from the city.

He said: "What is being proposed will mean the service the RNLI can provide from Plymouth will be diminished.

"There's been no consultation about it, and so I'll be in touch with the RNLI to explain the concerns we've got in Plymouth."

Evans explained he would understand the move if the charity had been short of money, but pointed to a recent increase in donations since it revealed its volunteers had been targeted by anti-migrant protesters.

"It can't be a financial decision, so it must just be a bonkers decision," he said.

The RNLI said the new Coastal model was more sustainable and cost-effective and, even though it was designed to operate at an optimal range of up to 10 nautical miles offshore, it could stretch its range to 25 nautical miles (29 miles, 46km).

It added that between 2017 and 2025, 98% of the charity's lifeboat response was within 10 nautical miles of the shore.

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