RNLI volunteers speak out over lifeboat changes

Current and former RNLI volunteers have raised concerns over cutbacks to the charity's services.

It comes after an announcement this week that Port St Mary's all-weather lifeboat will be retired in 2028 and will not be replaced.

Andy Faragher, a former crew member at the village station, said downscaling was "fundamentally flawed" with boats from other areas taking longer in "serious sea conditions" and increasing risk.

The RNLI said it "believes the lifeboats allocated through this strategy will continue to meet the lifesaving needs of the communities they serve."

Faragher also questioned the why the Trent-class lifeboat was being removed from the busiest station on the island.

In a statement, the RNLI said it was confident neighbouring stations on the island were capable of providing overlapping cover and response to the south in the event of an incident. The removal of the boat would not leave it without rescue coverage, it added.

It said: "While launch numbers are an important consideration, decisions are based on ensuring the right capabilities are available in the right locations.

"This includes the support available from flanking stations, other search and rescue assets, crew availability, and the types of incidents being responded to."

It added it was confident the all-weather lifeboat coverage provided by Peel and Ramsey, alongside the new coastal lifeboat at Douglas and the inshore lifeboats at Port Erin and Port St Mary, will continue to meet the needs of communities across the island.

"This strategic placement ensures the RNLI can continue to respond to incidents in severe weather when required," it said.

But Faragher's concerns have been echoed by an RNLI volunteer and sailor who got into difficulty in the Irish Sea and was saved by Port St Mary crews in May.

Peter Shone, an experienced skipper, was sailing from his home in North Wales to Scotland for his daughter's wedding in May.

However rigging on his vessel broke, causing the main sail and rigging to go overboard, making the boat unstable.

Port St Mary RNLI was the closest station to assist him.

He said: "It is one of the most difficult places to sail in the world known for fast flowing currents with strong tides add in a combination of high winds and you can find yourself unexpectedly in trouble."

Shone said he was concerned about the downsizing of several stations around the Irish Sea, that could make sailors more vulnerable.

Stations including Holyhead, Pwllheli and Fishguard have been impacted with Cardigan Bay being covered by St David's and Porth Dinllaen, and Peel and Ramsey with Moelfre covering the central Irish Sea, he said.

"I understand the RNLI needs to be react to its call outs close to shore but I think it is important to be able to reach the harder call outs too," he added.

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