Plymouth's new lifeboat, the Sybil Mullen Glover, was named after a local artist who donated £800,000 to the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution).

The new Severn Class craft is 55 feet (17 metres) long, capable of 25 knots and of carrying seven crew and 60 passengers.

It is one of the fastest lifeboats in the country and replaces the city's existing Arun-class boat, the City of Plymouth, which saved 50 lives during 16 years of service.

It means the whole business of rescue has been improved Tony Giblett, Plymouth RNLI

The vessel was met by Plymouth's current temporary lifeboat as she sailed into the city's Sound on Tuesday.

Coxswain Dave Milford, who brought the state-of-the-art craft into Millbay Marina, said her arrival was a proud day for the RNLI in Plymouth.

He said: "It is a floating ambulance for casualties and it will help to save a lot more lives at sea."

Plymouth RNLI secretary Tony Giblett said the size of the artist's donation had been a surprise.

Charity pledge

"The generosity of people like Sybil Mullen Glover has meant that Plymouth has one of the most powerful and effective lifeboats available to the RNLI.

"It means the whole business of rescue has been improved," he said.

Maritime watercolour artist Ms Glover, who died in 1995, pledged to help the RNLI after going to a concert in aid of the rescue charity.

The charity said it would have had to wait much longer for the new craft, were it not for the donation.

The boat will be officially named at a ceremony in July.