Decision by the RNLI to downgrade Arbroath Stations capabilities will put lives at risk.  Sign the petition to help save lives.  

A disastrous decision has been made by the RNLI trustee board to replace the all weather Mersey class lifeboat in Arbroath station with a downgraded open top Atlantic 85 (rigid inflatable boat RIB, bottom pic).  This is instead of the promised Shannon class all weather lifeboat which was passed and signed by the RNLI trustee board repeatedly in 2014, 2017 and 2019 and is altogether the more suitable vessel for the types of rescues Arbroath station is involved with.  

The Arbroath crew and guild have been given no justification for the reasons to reverse the decision to receive the Shannon class lifeboat (top pic) and have felt betrayed and bewildered by RNLI head office. 

This decision will put the crew and the public at risk because the Atlantic 85 is unsuitable to reach places like the Bellrock and Seagreen (offshore wind farm 26 miles off the coast) which the Arbroath crew are called out to often.  Arbroath is the closest station to most call outs at sea in the local area, assistance from Montrose or Broughty Ferry adds on an extra 30 minutes which would be too late for some.  The Arbroath crew were awarded recently for their bravery to reach lives at sea during Storm Arwen which they would not have managed without an all weather boat. In future with an Atlantic 85 such a rescue would be impossible.  

The RNLI board have made this decision going against advice from the crew which includes local fisherman with over 100 years experience of the local sea between them.  The only way to reverse this decision is to put public pressure on the RNLI to reconsider. 

Please get involved and sign the petition to ensure the safety of the Arbroath crew and the lives they save at sea.