WORK continues apace to repair the £1.8 million Falmouth lifeboat Richard Cox Scott, badly damaged after it ran onto rocks off The Lizard.
Repairs under the waterline are half way through and the boat is expected to be back on station by the "middle the year".
The boat is currently being repaired at Devonport Management Ltd in Plymouth and is not expected to be back on station until August.
The cost of repairs has not been revealed because the figure is of a commercially sensitive nature, although the RNLI says it is substantial.
"It is a complex repair," said an RNLI spokesman. "As work progresses on the repairs we will be able to tell how quick it is going to be."
The Richard Cox Scott, which had only been launched by the Queen in May last year, struck the Maen Chynoweth rock on February 23. The boat was being put through its paces at the time by assistant coxon Chris Price for the benefit of Bude RNLI.
Since the accident Mr Price has been suspended from taking command although not from the crew, until he passes a test of competence. He is expected to take that in early summer.
"He had a very good record," said the spokesman. "We have every confidence that he will command the boat again."
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