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Since its inception, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has provided lifeboats to lifeboat stations in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Once past their operation life, the boats have mostly been sold by the RNLI and purchased for domestic use, marine businesses for usage such as further sea lifesaving functions, diving, fishing and pleasure trips or to maritime lifesaving institutions from other countries to continue a lifesaving role. Some lifeboats of particular historic note have been preserved in museums.

History

Girvan harbour and lifeboat
An 1863 tubular lifeboat from New Brighton, Merseyside

The Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS) was founded in March 1824. The RNIPLS provided lifeboats to local committees, the Coastguard and harbour authorities. The Duke of Northumberland financed a competition for a standard design of a lifeboat. The winner was William Plenty, of Newbury, Berkshire. These "pulling boats" (rowing) were between 18 and 26 feet in length and were powered by between 4 and 10 oars. They had cork in their hull and shaped air-cases fore and aft. Their double-ended designs could operate a rudder from either end, so there was no need to turn.

The RNIPLS suffered from lack of funds and poor organization. Following the loss of the RNIPLS lifeboat Providence and 20 of her crew of 24 in the mouth of the river Tyne in December 1849, the need for reorganisation was recognised. Algernon Percy, 4th Duke of Northumberland, then First Lord of the Admiralty, took control. Richard Lewis was appointed secretary. The RNIPLS was replaced by the RNLI. Plenty's design was retired and a new design was introduced. These were larger, self-righting boats. They had a narrow beam, were 34 or 35 feet long with higher end-boxes containing the air-cases and were tested to self-right when capsized.

Later lifeboats were increased in length and were optionally powered by sail. Motors were introduced in the early 1900s. They had a greater range, facilitating the merging of lifeboat stations. Innovation in the design of lifeboats is continuous.

In 1962 the need for inshore lifeboats (ILB) was recognised. A French design was adopted, this was an inflatable of 16 foot length and a 40 hp engine with a speed of 20 knots and introduced as the D Class. It was faster than conventional lifeboats, at that time, could traverse shallow waters, go alongside persons in the water without harming them, and the running costs were much less than conventional lifeboats. In 1972 a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) was developed at Atlantic College in South Wales and introduced as the B Class Atlantic 21.

Current lifeboats

Severn-class RNLI Spirit of Guernsey at St Peter Port

The RNLI operated 431 lifeboats in 2022.

Class In service
Mersey 11
Severn 41
Shannon 40
Tamar 27
Trent 33
A-class IRB 3
B-class ILB 122
D-class ILB 143
E-class ILB 4
H-class hovercaft 7

A number of other craft are also in operation including personal watercraft, boarding boats and Y-class tenders.

The Severn-class are undergoing life extension and the Mersey-class are being replaced by newly-built Shannons.

List of lifeboat classes

Pulling and sailing lifeboats

The first lifeboats were powered by oars and most, except a few very early ones, had sails. A few were rebuilt with petrol engines after 1904.

Class Build period Total built Typical length Self-righting Notes
Beeching 1851 36 ft
(11 m) 		Yes Winner of the RNLI's design competition in 1851, the design was quickly developed into the Peake-class.
Cromer 1884–1895 3 35 ft
(11 m) 		No Designed for the Norfolk Shipwreck Association at Cromer before they became part of the RNLI in 1857. Also used at several other nearby stations and the RNLI built three replacements for them to a similar design.
Greathead 1790–1804 23 40 ft
(12 m) 		No The first widely-adopted lifeboats were based on Henry Greathead's Original design. They were double-ended and fitted with cork buoyancy aids. At least one remained in service for 40 years to be withdrawn by the RNLI. They are sometimes referred to as the 'North Country lifeboat'.
Liverpool 1892–1916 40 34 to 41 ft
(10 to 12 m) 		No
Norfolk and Suffolk 1860–1918 44 30 to 46 ft
(9 to 14 m) 		No A sailing lifeboat designed to operate further from shore and around the sandbanks common off East Anglia. It was broader than the self-righting types which made it less likely to capsize.
Palmer 1825–1850 29 25 to 32 ft
(8 to 10 m) 		No A small lifeboat based on a whaleboat.
Peake 1851–1916 500+ 30 to 43 ft
(9 to 13 m) 		Yes A lighter boat developed from the Beeching design in 1851. This was the standard RNLI boat for most of the second half of the nineteenth century and evolved over time. Being so widely used they were often referred to simply as 'self-righters'.
Plenty 1825–1850s 26 ft
(8 m) 		No One of the institution's first standard designs.
Richardson 1856–1896 5 33 ft
(10 m) 		No A tubular design with a slatted floor suspended between two tubes that were joined together at either end. They saw service at Rhyl and New Brighton.
Rubie 1900–1918 17 34 ft
(10 m) 		Yes A variation of the self-righting design.
Watson 1892–1915 42 38 to 45 ft (12 to 14 m) No
Whale Boat 1869–1910 5 28 to 30 ft
(9 to 9 m) 		Yes A small boat built for Ryde and Poolbeg.

Early powered lifeboats

The RNLI launched its first steam-powered lifeboat in 1889, but by 1905 was experimenting with petrol-engined boats. The first ones were based on pulling and sailing designs and had a single engine but retained sails. Boats with two engines started to appear in 1923 and diesel-engined boats in 1939.

Class Op. No. prefix Entered service Total built Length Displacement (tons) Speed (knots) Range (nmi)
Barnett – 1923 37 51 to 60 ft
(16 to 18 m) 		28 to 40 9.5 300
Clyde 70 1965 3 70 to 71 ft
(21 to 22 m) 		78 to 85 11.5 1,700
Fast Alfoat

– 1930 1 64 ft
(20 m) 		18
Harbour – 1938 1 28 ft
(8.5 m)
Liverpool – 1931 60 35 ft 6 in (10.82 m) 6 to 8 7.5 70 to 120
Norfolk and Suffolk – 1921 3 46 ft 6 in (14.17 m) 14 to 17 8 115
Oakley 37 1958 31 37 ft
(11 m) 		12 8 140
Ramsgate – 1925 3 48 ft (15 m) 21 to 23 8
Rother 37 1972 11 37 ft 6 in (11.43 m) 13 8 140
Self-righting – 1908 48 35 to 42 ft
(11 to 13 m) 		5+ 8
Solent 48 1969 11 48 ft 6 in (14.78 m) 27 9.5 240
Steam (hydro jet) – 1889 3 50 to 55 ft
(15 to 17 m) 		31
Steam (screw propeller) – 1898 3 56 ft
(17 m)
Steam tug – 1901 1 95 ft 6 in (29.11 m) 133 10
Surf – 1936 9 32 ft
(9.8 m) 		4+ 6.5+ 40
Thames 50 1973 2 50 ft
(15 m) 		24+ 17.5 210
Watson – 1909 213 40 to 47 in
(1.0 to 1.2 m) 		Up to 23 8 280

Fast and all-weather lifeboats

The advent of lifeboats with a new hull shape in the 1960s allowed them to exceed 10 kn (19 km/h). They eventually became designated as 'all-weather lifeboats' to differentiate them from the inshore lifeboats that were unable to operate in some storm conditions. The first, the Waveney-class, were adapted from an American design.

Class Op. No. prefix Entered service Total built Length Displacement (tonnes) Speed (knots) Range (nmi) Crew Survivor capacity Launch method
Arun 52 1971 46 16 m (52 ft) 33 18.5 250 6 Afloat
Brede 33 1981 10 10 m (33 ft) 8.6 20 140 4 8 Afloat
Keith Nelson 40 1968 1 12 m (40 ft) Afloat
Medina – 1981 3 11 m (35 ft) 28 4
Mersey 12 1988 38 11.6 m (38 ft) 14 17 140 6 43 Carriage, slipway or afloat
Severn 17 1996 46 17.3 m (57 ft) 42 25 250 7 124 Afloat
Shannon 13 2013 47+ 13.6 m (45 ft) 18 25 250 6 79 Carriage, slipway or afloat
Tamar 16 2005 27 16.3 m (53 ft) 32 25 250 7 118 Slipway or afloat
Trent 14 1994 38 14.3 m (47 ft) 28 25 250 6 73 Afloat
Tyne 47 1982 40 14.3 m (47 ft) 24.4 18 240 6 20 Slipway or afloat
Waveney 44 1964 22 13.7 m (44.83 ft) 17 15 205 5 Afloat

Inshore lifeboats

Lifeboats designed for fast response to incidents close to shore. While there have been many designs since the first inshore rescue boats were introduced in 1963, they are divided into five classes:

Class Model Entered service Total built Length Displacement Speed (knots) Endurance (hours) Crew Survivor capacity Launch method
A Boston Whaler 1985 1 6.25 m (20 ft 6 in) 30 2–3 Afloat
A Hatch 1967 5 6.25 m (20 ft 6 in) 25 5 2–3 Afloat
A McLachlan 1967 10 6.25 m (20 ft 6 in) 22 2–3 Afloat
C Zodiac IV 1970 30 5.33 m (17 ft 6 in) 26 4
B Atlantic 21 1970 96 6.9 m (23 ft) 1,250 kg (2,750 lb) 30 3 3 22 Carriage
B Atlantic 75 1993 97 7.3 m (24 ft) 1,500 kg (3,200 lb) 34 3 3 23 Carriage
B Atlantic 85 2005 140+ 8.4 m (28 ft) 1,800 kg (4,000 lb) 35 3 3-4 20 Carriage, davit or floating boathouse
D Avon S650 1971 4 4.9 m (16 ft) 20 3 10
D Dunlop 1965 11 2-3
D EA16 1987 257 4.9 m (16 ft) 338 kg
(745 lb) 		20 3 3–4 Carriage or davit
D Humber 1981 2 2-3
D IB1 2001 284+ 5 m
(16 ft) 		400 kg
(880 lb) 		25 3 2-3 5 Carriage or davit
D RFD 320 1966 6 2-3 Used as Boarding Boats
D RFD PB16 1963 228 4.9 m (16 ft) 2–3 Carriage or davit
D Zodiac III 1971 64 2–3 Carriage or davit
E Mark 1 2002 6 10.5 m (34 ft) 5,900 kg (13,000 lb) 40 3 4 20 Afloat
E Mark 2 2012 3 10.5 m (34 ft) 5,900 kg (13,000 lb) 40 3 4 20 Afloat
E Mark 3 2019 1 11.05 m (36.3 ft) 7,780 kg (17,150 lb) 45 3 4 20 Afloat

Other rescue craft

Class Type Entered service Total built Length Weight / Displacement Speed (knots) Endurance (hours) Crew Notes
Arancia Inflatable rescue boat 2001 78+ 3.8 m
(12 ft) 		165 kg 8 2 25 used by on lifeguard units, 3 deployed at lifeboat stations.
BB Boarding boat
H Hovercraft 2002 7 8 m
(26 ft) 		3.86 tonnes 30 3 2-4
RWC Rescue water craft 2001 1 Fast craft used by lifeguard units.
X Inflatable rescue boat Unmotored boat normally carried on board Tyne-class lifeboats but is an option on the Mersey and Shannon.
XP Inflatable rescue boat 9.2 m
(30 ft) 		61 kg 10 or 25 2 2 A small powered boat which is normally carried on board the Trent-class lifeboats.
Y Inflatable rescue boat 3 m
(9.8 ft) 		25 2 Small powered boat normally found on board Severn and Tamar-class lifeboats.

Historic Lifeboat Owners Association

The Historic Lifeboat Owners Association has been set up for individuals who own, maintain, crew or have a general interest in historic lifeboats. The association is a community whereby people can share knowledge, experience, information and advise on the subject, organizes social events and historic lifeboat rallies.

At the beginning of each summer an ex-lifeboat rally is held at Fowey in Cornwall whereby owners bring their boats and display them to the public; this event is organized by Fowey RNLI and is an opportunity to raise funds for the RNLI. Rallies have also been held in Falmouth, Belfast, Glasgow, Poole and Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.

Notes

  1. The Fast Afloat lifeboat was a special design for Dover. Kit was sold to the Admiralty in 1940.
  2. The Harbour lifeboat was a special design for Poolbeg.
  3. Liverpool-class pulling and sailing lifeboats continued to be built until 1916. 28 single-engine Liverpools were built between 1931 and 1941 and 32 with two engines between 1932 and 1954.
  4. Norfolk and Suffolk-class pulling and sailing lifeboats continued to be built until 1918. The construction of single-engined boats then started but completion was delayed by the First World War.
  5. Three Oakley-class lifeboats were 48 ft 6 in (14.78 m) long and given Operational Numbers 48-01 to 48-03. These larger boats displaced 30 tons.
  6. The first Ramsgate-class was built with a single engine but the others had two.
  7. The Self-righting motor lifeboats were the final development of the Peake-class introduced in 1851. 43 single engine examples were built between 1908 and 1940, followed by 5 with two engines between 1947 and 1951.
  8. Some Arun-class lifeboats were 54 feet long so carried Operational Numbers prefixed 54.
  9. The Medina-class lifeboats were Rigid Inflatable Boat prototypes. The Dutch lifeboat service continued their development and put lifeboats of this design into service.
  10. Shannon-class lifeboats are still being constructed. 47 had been completed by 2023.
  11. B-class Atlantic 85s are still being constructed. 140 had been completed by 2023.
  12. D-class IB1s are still being constructed. 284 had been completed by 2023.
  13. The Boarding Boats are a variety of different types mostly used where lifeboats are moored afloat. Modern examples are inflatable boats but retired inshore lifeboats may also be used.

See also

References

  1. Harvey, William (1825). Preservation of Life from Shipwreck. London. p. 54. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  2. "Report of the committee appointed to examine the lifeboats submitted to compete for the premium offered by his Grace the Duke of Northumberland". River & Rowing Museum. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  3. RNLI Annual Report and Accounts 2022 (Report). RNLI. 2023. p. 9.
  4. "The magnificent Severn set to save lives for another 25 years | RNLI". rnli.org. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  5. Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 57–58.
  6. Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 4–17.
  7. Cameron 2009, pp. 17–19.
  8. ^ Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 4–29.
  9. Cameron 2009, pp. 63–65.
  10. ^ Cameron 2009, p. 41.
  11. "Lifeboat designed by James Peake, Esq" (PDF). The Engineer: 20. 1856. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  12. Cameron 2009, p. 58.
  13. Cameron 2009, pp. 62–63.
  14. Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 20–17.
  15. Cameron 2009, pp. 65–67.
  16. Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 14–29.
  17. Leonard & Denton 2024, pp. 4–27.
  18. Wake-Walker, Edward (2007). TheLifeboats Story. Sutton Publishing. pp. 52–54. ISBN 978-0-7509-4858-6.
  19. Cameron 2009, pp. 74–76.
  20. Leach, Nicholas (2012). Padstow Lifeboats. The History Press. pp. 39–43. ISBN 978-0-7524-6540-1.
  21. ^ Leach, Nicholas (1989). The Waveney Lifeboats. Bernard McCall. pp. 15–18. ISBN 1-902953-01-0.
  22. ^ Wake-Walker, Edward; Deane, Heather; Purches, Georgette (1989). Lifeboat!. Ian Allan. pp. 38–43. ISBN 0-7110-1835-9.
  23. Kipling, Ray; Kipling, Susannah (2006). Never Turn Back. Sutton Publishing. pp. 98–99. ISBN 0-7509-4307-6.
  24. ^ Cameron, Ian (2009). Riders of the Storm. Orion Books. pp. 202–218. ISBN 978-0-7528-8344-1.
  25. "Mersey Class Lifeboat — The RNLI's Lifeboat Fleet — RNLI". rnli.org. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  26. "Severn Class Lifeboat — RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat Fleet". rnli.org. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  27. "Shannon Class Lifeboat — the Latest All Weather Lifeboat". rnli.org. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  28. "Tamar Class Lifeboat — The RNLI's Lifeboat Fleet — RNLI". rnli.org. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  29. "Trent Class Lifeboat — The RNLI's Lifeboat Fleet — RNLI". rnli.org. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  30. "B Class Atlantic Lifeboat — One Of The Fastest RNLI Lifeboats". rnli.org. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  31. "D Class Lifeboat — The Workhorse Of The RNLI for 50 Years". rnli.org. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  32. ^ "E Class Lifeboats — The RNLI Lifeboat Fleet". rnli.org. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  33. "RNLI Lifeboat Fleet — Inshore Rescue Boats". rnli.org. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  34. "Rescue Hovercraft — The RNLI's Lifeboat Fleet — RNLI". rnli.org. Retrieved 6 July 2020.

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