New lifeboat appeal hits target

The George Sullivan should be on station in St Helier by the summer

An appeal to raise money for a new all-weather lifeboat for St Helier in Jersey has reached its target.

Public donations and bequests raised more than £1.3m towards the cost of the Tamar class boat, currently being built at Babcock Marine in Plymouth, Devon.

RNLI coxswain Andy Hibbs said the lifeboat is nearing completion and will undergo capsize tests next month.

Sea trials will follow and the boat is expected to be on station in St Helier by early summer.

"It is a very exciting time for us all and we look forward to putting this state-of-the-art lifeboat to good use ensuring life saving cover for those who use the sea around our island," Mr Hibbs said.

The lifeboat will be named the George Sullivan, after the late Major George Langford Sullivan MBE.

Major Sullivan, who won the Military Cross while serving in the army with the 14th/20th Hussars, moved to Jersey in the 1950's. A substantial donation was made to the RNLI when he died.

The new boat will replace the Tyne class Alexander Coutanche, which has been in service since 1989.