THE FIRST lifeboat in the UK to be funded by the government has been named after a founder of local rescue group SARA – and it was put through its paces on the Severn by his son.

The boat was officially named ‘Jim Hewitt’ in a ceremony at the Beachley base of SARA (Severn Area Rescue Association) and a display of its agility on the water was headed by his son Ryan.

The 8.25m (27ft)-long craft was named by Forest MP Mark Harper who splashed Champagne over the state-of-the-art boat which is the latest to have the call sign SARA1.

It is the first boat to be commissioned thanks to a government scheme which has seen fines, levied for rigging of a key interest rate by bankers, given to rescue organisations.

SARA received £221,000 from the Department for Transport as part of the five-year scheme to redirect fines levied as part of the Libor (London Interbank Offered Rate) scandal.

Jim Hewitt, who help start SARA in 1973, said: “It’s a very powerful, very complex piece of equipment and in terms of specification it is equivalent to the top-of-the-range RNLI (Royal National Life­boat Institution) inshore lifeboats.

“It’s got a top speed with a crew of four of 45 knots (nearly 52mph).

“It is certified to go out in force eight weather and is certified by a naval architect to satisfy the marine rescue code – one of the first boats that does so.

“It’s the fourth boat to be SARA1 so they have lasted extremely well.”

As well as four crew members the boat can carry six casualties including two on stretchers.

Ryan Hewitt, the coxswain of SARA1, said: “It’s a very impressive piece of equipment – it’s a superb sea boat and handles extremely well.

“There’s no doubt that for the next 15 to 20 years it will save many lives on the Severn. With the latest technologies on board it is a very safe very sea-worthy vessel.

“The improvements we’ve got are primarily radar and direction finding equipment and a ballast system that enables us to ship nearly a ton of ballast into the boat to weigh it down in rough weather for a smoother and safer ride for us and for any casualties.

“We are called out on average about once a fortnight.”

Mr Harper said the volunteers of SARA had “undoubtedly” saved the lives of many people from his constituency.

He said: “The Chancellor, when he announced the grants for inshore lifeboats, made it clear that it was an example of some of the worst behaviour of the excesses in the banking industry and the fines being used to support some of the best endeavour by members of the community.

“I was very pleased to see this very significant grant. I’ve known for many years the incredible work that goes on and the fact there are members of my constituency who wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the hard work of this organisation.

“My formal title as chief whip is parliamentary secretary to the treasury so it gives

me particular pleasure

to have extracted £220,000.”