FOR the first time, Cowes RNLI lifeboat will have three different sets of crews for tomorrow's (Saturday) JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race.
It was considered necessary after last year's event, when Cowes and other lifeboats were at full stretch dealing with emergencies caused by the strong winds and choppy seas off the Isle of Wight.
The first four-person crew will arrive at the boathouse, beside The Parade, at 5.30am for final briefings.
At 6am the new Atlantic 85 Sheena Louise, will patrol an area between the Cowes starting line and Gurnard Marsh.
Twenty minutes after the start, the lifeboat will go alongside Trinity pontoon at 9am. There a new crew will be waiting to then follow the huge fleet westwards to Hurst Narrows.
The lifeboat will return to the boathouse at 12 noon to refuel and stand-down. Providing there are no alerts in the meantime, the lifeboat will take to the Solent again at 1.30pm, this time to patrol the area between Prince Consort Buoy and Wootton Creek.
The lifeboat is due to return to the boathouse at 6pm.