An extraordinary legacy left to the RNLI by a 99-year-old widow has been used to pay for a £1.5 million lifeboat for Angus the first of its kind in Scotland.
The massive donation from the estate of Ruth Grant-Smith from Morayshire has funded the Shannon-class vessel, which will be berthed in Montrose and manned by the local lifeboat crew.
As a gesture of gratitude towards their benefactor, the service has opted to name the new boat after her late husband, Ian Grant-Smith.
Ray Wilkie, RNLI lifeboat operations manager at Montrose, described the bequest as “most generous” and said everybody connected with the town’s lifeboat was extremely grateful.
He added, “We welcome the confidence of the RNLI charity trustees to place the latest class of lifeboat at Montrose, which will enable the current RNLI volunteers to continue the noble tradition of saving lives at sea that began here in 1800.
“The fact the new Shannon class lifeboat to be stationed at Montrose will be funded by a gift in a will is remarkable and it has come as quite a surprise to us at Montrose lifeboat station.”
Prior to her death in December 2005, Mrs Grant-Smith had lived in Grantown-on-Spey, following her husband’s retirement from Brodies solicitors, where he had been a partner.Keen supportersAs keen supporters of the RNLI and other charities they would host an annual luncheon party on New Year’s Day, with the proceeds going towards the support of lifeboat crews.
The vessel has been designed by RNLI naval architects to ensure it meets the demands of a 21st century rescue service, while allowing the charity’s volunteer crew to carry out their work in all weather.
Twin water jets are used in place of conventional propellers, allowing the craft to operate in shallow waters and be highly manoeuvrable, while giving the crew greater control in confined waters.
The system also reduces the risk of damage to the lifeboat during launch and recovery, or when intentionally beached.
Seats are designed to protect the crew members’ spines from the forces of the sea in rough weather and a System and Information Management System allows mechanical and electrical performance to be monitored from within the boat.Sea trialsWith a top speed of 25 knots, the Shannon is notably faster than its predecessor the Mersey, and the current lifeboat at Montrose, a Tyne class.
A special tractor and carriage will allow launch and recovery from beaches and, like all RNLI all-weather lifeboats, the vessel is self-righting if it capsizes.
The exact date for the arrival of the Shannon at Montrose has not been determined but the new class of lifeboat will undergo full sea trials later this year, with the first operational versions hitting the water in 2013.
Linda Aitken, the RNLI’s legacy manager for Scotland, said, “The size of the legacy gift the RNLI is using to fund the Montrose lifeboat is unusual more often we receive smaller gifts in wills and we’re very grateful for all the gifts we are left, whether it pays for a crew member’s lifejacket, or as in this case, a lifeboat.”
To find out more about leaving a legacy call 01738 642999 or visit the RNLI’s website.