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Atlantic 75 - Southend-on-Sea Lifeboat B-776
Class overview
Name	Atlantic 75
Builders	Inshore Lifeboat Centre, Cowes
Operators	Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Preceded by	Atlantic 21
Succeeded by	Atlantic 85
In service	1993-2021
Completed	97
Lost	1
Retired	96
General characteristics
Displacement	1.6 tonnes
Length	7.38 m (24.2 ft)
Beam	2.65 m (8.7 ft)
Draught	0.41 m (1.3 ft)
Propulsion	2 × Evinrude 2-stroke outboard engines, 70 hp (52 kW) or 2 × Yamaha 75 hp (56 kW) engines
Speed	32 knots (37 mph; 59 km/h)
Endurance	2.5 hours
Capacity	23
Complement	3

The Atlantic 75 is the second generation Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB), in the B-class series of Inshore lifeboats, that were operated around the shores of the British Isles and the Channel Islands, by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) between 1993 and 2021. This lifeboat was a development of, and gradually replaced, the Atlantic 21-class lifeboat, but have now been superseded by the new Atlantic 85-class lifeboat.

Description

The Atlantic 75 has Hypalon-coated nylon inflatable sponsons. Changing from the grey of the Atlantic 21, all Atlantic 75 sponsons are orange. A conical diaphragm is placed between sections of the sponson, to transfer pressure should damage or leaking occur. The lifeboat has a moulded fibreglass rigid hull, topped with a marine quality plywood deck. The fuel tanks are located under the deck. The crew seats are mounted on a fibreglass centre console. A tubular aluminium roll-bar carries communication aerials for GPS satelite navigation and VHF radio, along with an inflatable airbag for self-righting. The twin Evinrude 70-hp engines were modified at the RNLI's Inshore Lifeboat Centre at Cowes, to prevent water ingress in case of capsize, and allow restart. A tubular mast is provided to mount navigation lights, and an emergency blue-light.

One of the main improvements made to the Atlantic 75 is the addition of a 200 L (44 imp gal) ballast tank at the front of the boat which enables the boat to launch into larger surf than the Atlantic 21. This ballast tank is filled using a water scoop located between the engines, and keeps the bow of the lifeboat weighed down, allowing higher speeds.

All of the following fleet details are referenced to the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society Handbook, published annually, with information retrieved directly from RNLI records.

Atlantic 75 Fleet

1. Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat.

References

1. "End of era as last Atlantic 75 stood down". Fishing News. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
2. "The Atlantic 75". The Lifeboat. 56 (542): 24–25. Winter 1997. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
3. "Dart D'Tales" (PDF). Dartmouth RNLI. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
4. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 67–69.
5. "| Facebook page of the rescue team in Lesbos". Facebook page. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
6. "| Facebook page of the rescue team in Lesbos". Facebook page. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
7. "B-754 The Pride of Sherwood". RNLI Nottinghamshire. Archived from the original on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
8. "Welcome | Haverigg Inshore Rescue Team". haverigginshore.org.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
9. "| Facebook page of the rescue team in Suðureyri". Facebook page. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
10. "| Facebook page of the Toila Voluntary Marine Rescue". Facebook page. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
11. "Station History". Plymouth Lifeboat Station. Archived from the original on 9 June 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
12. "End of era as last Atlantic-75 stooddown". Fishing News. Retrieved 10 December 2021.

External links

• RNLI Fleet: B-class (Atlantic)
• Atlantic 75 class lifeboat at Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI Lifeboat Station

• B-class lifeboats