Caister lifeboat in training on new Medina-class boat

The crew of Caister independent lifeboat have been learning the ropes on board their new Medina-class boat ahead of its official naming ceremony.

It is expected the boat will be going on service in the next couple of weeks.

Paul Garrod, lifeboat chairman, said: "The boat is all ready to go. Crew are now in intensive training, as it's a completely new boat to us.

"When our coxswain is 100pc ready, he'll put her out on service," he added.

Caister Lifeboat with Scroby Sands offshore windfarm in the distance. (Image: RWE) READ MORE: Keeping afloat - Hundreds attend blessing of new vessel at village lifeboat station

Crew trained on Sunday, September 1, at Scroby Sands. 

"It was the first day we had her out in quite good seas and it did the job perfectly," Mr Garrod said.

The boat also performed some towing exercise with the old vessel the Bernard Matthews.

Earlier last week, crew members launched the boat at midnight as a trial run of calls that come after dark.

READ MORE: Caister lifeboat rescues boat caught in rough seas

Meanwhile, in a boost for Caister lifeboat, energy company RWE has pledged to sponsor the charity's regular fundraising events.

Phillip Croston-Clegg, Scroby Sands Offshore Wind Farm general manager, said: "Our operational staff are regular sea users, sailing in vessels off the Great Yarmouth coast in all weathers, in order to maintain our fleet of turbines.  

"Sponsorship of Caister Lifeboat allows us to directly contribute to the safety and well-being of our community members who rely on the lifeboat service in times of need.”

Aaron Thurlow, senior crew member at Caister Lifeboat, said: “The RWE sponsorship will be put towards the expenses for each of our four events we hold through the year.  

"These events are a major part of our fundraising and in turn raise around £30,000 which goes into the day-to-day running of the lifeboats and station.”

Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service (CVLS), run entirely by volunteers, is the only independent lifeboat station in the United Kingdom that operates both an all-weather lifeboat and an inshore lifeboat.

The date for naming the new vessel has not yet been confirmed.