THE next step has been taken for Rhyl RNLI station to receive a new state of the art lifeboat and launcher costing £3.7 million.

Local volunteer crew, supporters and were told this week the Shannon class lifeboat will be named: Anthony Kenneth Heard.

It is planned the new lifeboat will be on station by the end of 2019. Already trials have taken place to ensure she will fit into Rhyl’s existing lifeboat house.

The new lifeboat will cost £2.2 million, and its specially designed launching equipment a further £1.5 million.

An RNLI spokesman said the lifeboat will be funded by a legacy from the late Beryl Patricia Edith Heard. He said: “'Mrs Heard came from Colchester, Essex and died in November 2014. She was a long-time supporter of the RNLI and made provision in her will for a lifeboat to be named in memory of her late husband who died in 1996. A suitable naming ceremony for the new boat will be arranged once the lifeboat takes up station.”

Martin Jones, Rhyl RNLI lifeboat coxswain said: “The whole station is delighted that the next step has taken place to see our new lifeboat on station. We thank the family of Mrs Heard for funding our boat, and we hope to forge a long-lasting friendship with her relatives in the near future.”

The all weather Shannon class lifeboat will be a step change in performance from the existing Mersey class vessel. It will be able to be launched in all weather conditions including in hurricane force winds.

The lifeboat will be self righting if she capsizes, and is powered by water jets, and capable of achieving more than 25 knots. The Mersey class could achieve 15 knots. She will be equipped with cutting edge navigation and communications and control systems.