BEACHGOERS in Bude are set for some special sights as the town’s RNLI crew trial a new lifeboat.

Residents have been told that they may notice some extra RNLI activity at Summerleaze Beach in the coming weeks, as a planned trial of a larger, Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat is carried out.

The trial aims to see whether the larger vessel is able to be launched and recovered safety from the beach.

As a result, those enjoying the beach may see a different lifeboat operating in the area, as well as RNLI crew and equipment moving around the shoreline.

A temporary fenced compound near the lifeboat station will also be in place, in order to house the trial lifeboat during the testing phase.

The RNLI has expressed that this is ‘routine and standard activity’ for the lifesaving organisation and is part of its ongoing work to make sure crews have the safest and most effective lifesaving capability for both the team of volunteers and the community.

Phil Hill, RNLI area operations manager for North Cornwall says: “This trial gives us the opportunity to assess whether an Atlantic 85 can be launched and recovered safely from Summerleaze Beach. While we already operate this class of lifeboat from several beach launch stations around the coast, every location is different. Each beach has its own topography, hazards, access points and even variations in the sand, all of which can influence safe operations.”

Phil says that should the trials go well, there could be an opportunity for Bude’s crew to move forward with the equipment.

He continued: “If the trial demonstrates that an Atlantic 85 can operate safely at Bude, we will move forward to the next stage of trials. If not, Bude RNLI will continue to operate with its D class lifeboat, which remains an effective and highly capable lifeboat for the area.”