The charity that saves lives at sea has announced Margate will receive a new lifeboat and boathouse.

A planning application for a new boathouse on the eastern part of Margate beach has been submitted to Thanet council.

And Margate's lifeboat crew should be able to reach those in peril at sea more quickly with a new Shannon class lifeboat.

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The Shannon is the RNLI’s first all-weather lifeboat to be powered by water jet engines rather than traditional propellers and is 50% faster than the Mersey class lifeboat it will replace.

It also has a raft of features to make it safer for volunteer crews to operate in the roughest of sea conditions.

Due to the size and dimensions of the Shannon class lifeboat, a new boathouse will be required.

The new location is hoped to reduce launch times and provide a more efficient operation compared to those at Margate’s current lifeboat station at the Rendezvous, behind the Turner Contemporary.

The new boathouse would create space for the new Shannon, Margate’s existing D-class inshore lifeboat, and associated beach lifeguard equipment.

A public viewing area is expected to make the new boathouse a popular attraction for visitors.

An area of the boathouse will be allocated to engage with the public for sea safety education and the RNLI’s Community Lifesaving Plan.

Margate RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager Paul Hodson said: “Margate’s RNLI crew and supporters are thrilled at the prospect of receiving a new Shannon class lifeboat.

“It’s a sensational vessel that will enable us to reach those in peril at sea more quickly while keeping our volunteer crew safer, something I know their families will be grateful for.

“The new lifeboat will be larger than our current Mersey class which means we need a new boathouse.

“Our current location at the Rendezvous isn’t suitable for a number of reasons, one of which is the new lifeboat and launching vehicle are too large to manoeuvre from the existing lifeboat station to the beach.

“This area also gets incredibly busy during summer and is often congested with parked cars, slowing launch times.

“The new boathouse will bring together both our lifeboats and Margate’s RNLI lifeguard service under one roof as well as creating space for crew training.

“It will also include a public viewing area, which we expect will attract more people to the seafront.

“In that way we hope it will contribute to the regeneration of the area.”

The lifeboat is due to arrive in early 2018 although this may be subject to change.