Mariner 150hp Capsize PIRS® for new Sidmouth Lifeboat

Published on: 27/06/2019

Sidmouth Lifeboat has proudly announced the name of the town's new lifeboat, which will continue to cover the area from Axmouth to Budleigh Salterton, in an official naming and blessing ceremony on the Esplanade. 

A crowd of valued supporters from the local community and further afield gathered at the Lifeboat Station to wish the vessel well as it begins its career of saving lives at sea. 

The new boat, ‘Peter and Barbara Truesdale’, has been named after its generous benefactors, the late Surgeon Captain Peter Jeffrey Truesdale and his sister Barbara, whose donation in trust allowed Sidmouth Lifeboat to replace its existing Arctic 24 after 15 years of service. 

“Pride of Sidmouth was launched on 274 callouts; rescuing or assisting 226 people in the process. Although no longer on station here, Pride of Sidmouth continues to service the south coast of the UK as we were able to donate it to our neighbouring Independent Lifeboat organisation, Solent Rescue,” said Phil Shepperd, Operations Manager at Sidmouth Lifeboat. 

Barrus has supported Sidmouth Lifeboat for over 15 years, updating engines as new technology emerges and providing technical support and training when required. The team has always chosen Mariner outboard engines and, with their new lifeboat, upgraded to the latest post immersion model.

Peter and Barbara Truesdale is powered by the 150hp inversion proof Mariner outboard engines. “Our new vessel provides our volunteer crew with the latest technology and equipment required for the vital work they do at sea. We expect it to be on service with us here in Sidmouth for the next 15-20 years.” 

Exclusive in the industry, all the Barrus supplied outboard engines between 20hp – 150hp are SOLAS approved with some PIRS® engines being capable of meeting the LSA code for fast rescue boats.

“Having worked with the Sidmouth Lifeboat Team for a number of years, it has been great to see their new vessel rigged with a pair of the latest generation Mariner outboards,” commented Mike Burge, Sales Engineer for the Special Products Division at Barrus.

“Although the team has historically used Mariner engines, the 150hp Capsize PIRS® model was a momentous move forward for Barrus, so it was a proud moment to see the first pair go to them.” 

Sidmouth Lifeboat is an independent organisation and exists solely on the many charitable donations from the local community and beyond. All money raised is used to keep its boats maintained, and crew trained and equipped. 

The arrival of ‘Peter and Barbara Truesdale’ and the donation of ‘Pride of Sidmouth’ to Solent Rescue means the generous bequest will benefit not just one, but two UK independent Lifeboat organisations. 

 “Peter would be thrilled to think that his legacy would do so much good both in Sidmouth and on the Solent, helping those in difficulty,” commented Barbara Truesdale. 

Sidmouth volunteer Lifeboat Crew, which includes boat crew, shore crew, and tractor drivers, is currently almost 30-strong. The Crew is ably assisted by its 22 Support Team members and six Trustees. 

Photo: Yes

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