The Severn class lifeboat was introduced in 1995 and is the largest in the RNLI fleet. It carries a Y class inflatable boat that can be launched from the lifeboat with a crane. The Severn has the same hull shape as the Trent class.
Length
17 metres
Speed
25 knots
Range
250 nautical miles
Construction
Hull: Fibre reinforced composite with single-skin section below the chine and 100mm thick foam-cored sandwich above. Deck and superstructure: 25mm foam-cored sandwich.
The Trent class was introduced in 1994. It has the same hull shape as the Severn class but is a smaller version. The sheerline sweeps down the side of the vessel for easier recovery of survivors.
The Mersey class lifeboat was introduced in 1988 and was the first of the "fast" carriage lifeboats. Although designed to be launched from a carriage this type of lifeboat can be launched from a slipway or can be moored afloat. It has a box-shaped wheelhouse that is set well to the rear of the vessel. The propellors are protected by partial tunnels and substantial bilge keels. The last Mersey was built in 1993.
Length
12 metres
Speed
17 knots
Range
140 nautical miles
Construction
Aluminium or fibre reinforced composite
Crew
Six
Weight
13 Tonnes
Launch
Carriage, afloat or slipway
Cornish Stations
HRH The Princess Royal, (Civil Service No 41) (12-009) at St Ives The Four Boys (12-19) was at Sennen Cove from 1991 to 1998.
The Tyne class lifeboat was the first "fast" slipway lifeboat. It is the main slipway launched lifeboat class but it can also lie afloat. Features include a low-profile wheelhouse and a separate cabin behind the upper steering position. The propellers are protected by substantial bilge keels. The last Tyne was built in 1990 and the class is gradually being replaced by the Tamar class.
Length
14.3 metres (47 feet)
Beam
4.48 mstres (14 feet 8 inches)
Speed
17 knots
Range
240 nautical miles
Construction
Steel
Crew
Six (plus doctor)
Weight
25 Tonnes
Launch
Slipway or afloat
Cornish Stations
None currently stationed in Cornwall David Robinson (47-030) was at The Lizard from August 1988 to 23 July 2011 Norman Salvesen (47-016) was at Sennen Cove from 25 March 1998 to 6 October 2009 James Burrough (47-003) was at Padstow from 1984 to 2006
The Tamar class lifeboat was the RNLI's latest design in service, until the Shannon was introduced in 2013, and was destined to replace the ageing Tyne class, which is coming towards the end of its useful life. The Tamar is larger and faster than the Tyne and can be launched from a slipway or lie afloat. It includes a computerised Systems and Information Management System (SIMS) that enables crew to control many of the lifeboat's functions remotely from the safety of their seats. Other features include advanced ergonomics, that reduce the impact on the crew as the lifeboat crashes through waves, and a powered Y boat stored, fully inflated, behind a transom door to allow immediate deployment. The first Tamar went on station at Tenby in Wales in 2006. 27 Tamar class lifeboats were built between 2006 and 2013.
The first Shannon class lifeboat, Jock and Annie Slater, was accepted into the RNLI Relief fleet on 11th July 2013. The Shannon will gradually replace the Mersey class lifeboat, which first came into service in 1989 and is now nearing the end of its planned 25-year life span.
This is the first RNLI sea-going lifeboat to be powered by Hamilton waterjets instead of propellers, making it more manoeuvrable and safer to operate in shallow waters, as well as reducing the risk of damage during launch and recovery.
Length
13 metres
Speed
25 knots
Range
250 nautical miles
Construction
Fibre-reinforced plastic
Crew
6 (including doctor)
Weight/Displacement
18 tonnes (maximum)
Survivor capacity
6 seated plus 17 standing inside
Launch
Launched from a specially designed tractor-borne carriage and recovered onto the carriage bow first after grounding on the beach.
The D class has been the workhorse of the service since the 1970's. It is small and highly manoeuvrable, making it ideal for rescues close to shore in fair to moderate conditions. It has a single outboard engine and can be righted manually by the crew following a capsize. The design of the D class has continued to evolve since its introduction. The details below are for the latest version that was introduced in 2003.
Henry Philip (D-617) at Bude Olive Two (D-610) at
Fowey Copeland Bell (D-707)at Port Isaac Rusper (D-634) at Rock Blue Peter IV (D-641) at St Agnes Colin Bramley Parker (D-668) at St Ives Ollie Naismith (D-741) at Looe
Introduced in 2002, this is the fastest lifeboat in the whole of the RNLI fleet
It is a fast response craft, developed for use with waterjets, and is used at two stations on the River Thames (Chiswick and Tower Pier). The E class can operate in both daylight and darkness and has an assisted righting capacity similar to the B class. The Mark II was introduced in 2011.
Length
9 metres (Mk I), 10.5 metres (Mk II)
Beam
2.8 metres
Top Speed
33 knots (Mk I), 40 knots (Mk II)
Range
160 nautical miles
Endurance
3 hours (Mk I), 4 hours (Mk II) at maximum speed
Construction
Marine-grade aluminium alloy hull with a closed-cell polythene foam collar (Mk I), Glass epoxy-resin composite hull with solid closed-cell foam with polyurethane covering collar (Mk II)
Propulsion
Twin Hamilton water jets
Engines
Two Steyr 246 turbo diesels – 240hp each (Mk I), two Volvo D6 435 marine diesels – 435hp each
Crew
Three (Mk I), Four (Mk II)
Weight
3.86 tonnes (Mk I), 5.4 to 5.9 tonnes (Mk II)
Launch
Moored afloat
Cornish Stations
There are no E class lifeboats in Cornwall. All the E class lifeboats are stationed on the River Thames
This rigid inflatable lifeboat was introduced in 1993 to replace the Atlantic 21. The '75' comes from the length, at just under 7.5 metres. The 'Atlantic' comes Atlantic College in Wales, where the first Atlantic 21s were developed.
Length
7.38 metres (25 feet)
Beam
2.65 metres (8.7 feet)
Speed
32 knots (37 MPH / 59 KPH)
Endurance
3 hours at maximum speed
Construction
Polyester glass reinforced fibre
Crew
Three
Weight
1.6 tonnes
Launch
Carriage, davit or afloat
Cornish Stations
Alan & Margaret (B-793) at Looe Paul Alexander (B-787) at Penlee
Introduced in 2005 the Atlantic 85 is the third generation B-class RIB following on from the Atlantic 21 and Atlantic 75. The Atlantic 85 is fitted with radar and VHF direction finding equipment and can be operated safely in daylight in a force 6 to 7 gale and at night in a force 5 to 6 gale. The Atlantic 85 now has intercom communications between the crew and VHF radio via their helmets
Length
8.44 metres
Speed
35 knots
Range / Duration
2.5 hours at full speed
Construction
Carbon fibre and foam core laminate. Fibre Reinforced Composite with a Hypalon tube
Hovercraft were introduced into the fleet in 2002. They are able to operate in mud, sand and very shallow water and are particularly useful for shoreline searches. Lift is provided by a build up of air pressure under the craft and thrust by two large fans mounted on the back that act in the same way as aeroplane propellers. Steering is provided by aerofoil-shaped rudders located behind the propellers.
Length
8 metres
Speed
30 knots
Range / Duration
3 hours at maximum speed
Construction
Marine grade aluminium with moulded fibre reinforced composites
Crew
Two to four
Weight
2.4 tonnes
Launch
A hovercraft can be launched from any flat area, such as a car park, a beach, a field or a road, provided there is enough room. Hovercrafts are moved from place to place using specialist transporter vehicles.
Cornish Stations
No hovercraft is stationed in Cornwall.
(There are four in service at Hunstanton, Morecambe, New Brighton and Southend-on-Sea)
The X-Class Lifeboat is used as a small tender carried on board the RNLI All Weather lifeboats. They are normally found carried onboard Tyne and Mersey class lifeboats. They are also carried onboard the new Shannon class.
Primarily used for assisting in cliff incidents where the casualty is near the water but the All Weather Lifeboat can not get into the base of the cliffs due to rocks. Also used for operating in shallow water near beaches and in estuaries.
Usually carried on board the "mother" lifeboat. Carried on Trent class lifeboats for use in cliff incidents where the casualty is near the water and rocks prevent the Trent from getting near the base of the cliff. A few XPs, with greater propulsion, work alongside inshore lifeboats on river estuaries and on The Broads.
Length
2.8 metres / 9.2 feet
Speed
10 knots (Trent) or 25 knots (Broads)
Propulsion
Single Mariner outboard of 5hp (Trent) or 10hp (Broads)
Stored fully inflated in a compartment behind the transom of the "mother" lifeboat. Mother boats are now Severn and Tamar class lifeboats. (Y boats were used on the Arun class lifeboats before these were retired.)
A variety of vessels are used as boarding boats to get from the shore to the lifeboats that are moored afloat away from any pontoon or harbour wall.
At St Mary's on the Isles of Scilly the boarding boat is launched down the lifeboat station slipway to get the crew to the Arun class lifeboat stationed on a harbour mooring. This is the only place in the UK where this happens. (See image above)
Specifications
A variety of boats are used as boarding boats, including inflatables, but no standard RNLI boarding boat.
Launch
Various methods of launching: Slipway (St Marys IOS only), davit, crane or moored alongside the harbour.
Cornish Stations
BB-234 at St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
BB-235 at Falmouth
This is a small Beach Rescue Craft used mainly for surf rescue and operated from the beach. Used by the RNLI since 2001. They are are hand-built at the RNLI Inshore lifeboat centre in Cowes.
The Arancias are also used by the RNLI Flood Rescue Teams.
Length
3.88 metres (12.7 feet)
Speed
22 knots
Beam
1.73 metres (5.7 feet)
Range
20 nautical miles
Construction
Bonded dupont hypalon polyester 1100 duratex
Crew
Two
Weight
165 Kg
Launch
Trailer or trolley
Cornish Locations
The South West Flood Rescue Team is based at Saltash.
