Mersey-class lifeboat
Anstruther Lifeboat 12-17Kingdom of Fife(ON 1174)
withdrawn to relief fleet, 27 August 2024 | |
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | Mersey Class |
Operators |
|
Preceded by | Rother,Oakley |
Succeeded by | Shannon |
Cost | £350,000 |
Built | 1987–1993 |
In service | 1988– |
Completed | 38 |
Active | 10 |
Retired | 28 |
General characteristics | |
Displacement | 14.3 t (14.1 long tons) |
Length | 11.62 m (38.1 ft) |
Beam | 4.0 m (13.1 ft) |
Draught | 1.02 m (3.3 ft) |
Propulsion | 2 × 285 hp (213 kW) Caterpillar 3208T diesel engines |
Speed | 17knots(20 mph; 31 km/h) |
Range | 240nmi(440 km) |
Endurance | 10.25 hours approx. at cruising speed |
Capacity | 43 survivors (self-righting up to 21) |
Complement | 6 |
Mersey-class lifeboatsare All-weatherlifeboatsoperated by theRoyal National Lifeboat Institution(RNLI) from stations around the coasts ofGreat BritainandIreland,with three former RNLI boats operated by ADES Uruguay, and one by Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile. They are capable of operating at up to 17 knots (31 km/h) and can be launched from a carriage or by slipway.
The class name comes from theRiver Merseywhich flows into theIrish Seain north west England.
History
[edit]During the 1960s and 1970s the RNLI introduced fast lifeboats capable of considerable greater speeds than the 8 knots (15 km/h) of existing designs. The first of these were only able to be kept afloat as their propellers would be damaged if launched using a slipway or carriage. In 1982 the steel-hulledTyne-classcame into service which could be launched down a slipway but weighed 25 tons so was not suitable for being moved across a beach on a carriage. The answer was to build a smaller boat with an aluminium hull, which became the Mersey Class.[1]
The first, unnamed, Mersey was built in 1986 and undertook trials during 1987 and 1988. It was then taken out of service and sold the following year. It was working as a trip boat inWestport,County Mayoin 2008 carrying the nameSpirit.Two more boats were built in 1988, with the first one to take up active service going toBridlington Lifeboat Stationthe following year.[2]
In 1989, 12-11Lifetime Care(ON 1148) was built with a fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) hull. Boats built in 1990 continued to use aluminium but from 1991 FRC became the standard hull material.[2][3]
In 2014, the first of theShannon-classlifeboats replaced the Mersey lifeboats at Dungeness, Exmouth and Hoylake. The RNLI intended to have 25 knot lifeboats at all offshore lifeboat stations by the end of 2019. However, this target has not been met, as 4 Merseys are still on station, as of March 2024.
On Wednesday 13 December 2023, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh joined Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) representatives at Windsor Castle for the handover of RNLB 12-30Her Majesty The Queen(ON 1189) to theChatham Historic Dockyard.[4]
Description
[edit]The Mersey is designed to be launched from a carriage, but can also lie afloat or be slipway launched when required. Its propellers are fully protected from damage when launching or in shallow water by partial tunnels and two bilge keels. Its low height can be further reduced by collapsing its mast and aerials which then allows it to be stored in a boathouse. A sealed cabin gives it a self-righting ability.
Power comes from two 3208TCaterpillarturbo-charged marine diesel engines giving 285 hp at 2,800 rpm. It carries 1,110 litres (290 US gal) of fuel to give it a range of 240 nautical miles (440 km). It has a crew of six and can carry an inflatableX Boatwhich it can deploy at sea. Its survivor compartment can carry 43 people, but more than 21 prevents self-righting should the boat capsize.[3][5]
Gallery
[edit]-
Launching from a carriage andTalus MB-H amphibious tractor
-
Launching from a slipway
-
Stern showing the protected propellers
-
Engine room
Mersey lifeboat fleet
[edit]RNLI active fleet
[edit]ON[a] | Op.No.[b] | Name | In service[6] | Station | Launching method | MMSI[7] | Comments[6] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1177 | 12-20 | Leonard Kent | 1991–2021 2022– |
Margate Newcastle |
Carriage Carriage |
232002280 | |
1181 | 12-22 | Ruby Clery | 1992–2019 2019–2022 2022–2023 2024– |
Peel Ramsey Douglas Douglas |
Carriage Carriage Slipway Slipway |
232002727 | |
1193 | 12-34 | Freddie Cooper | 1993– | Aldeburgh | Carriage | 232003208 | On 7 October 2024, RNLI announced final departure of Aldeburgh Mersey ALB following a service at 13:30 on 27 October 2024.[8] |
RNLI relief fleet
[edit]ON[a] | Op.No.[b] | Name | In service[6] | Station | Launching method | MMSI[7] | Comments[6] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1172 | 12-15 | Frank and Lena Clifford of Stourbridge |
1992–2023 2023– |
New Quay Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
232002726 | |
1174 | 12-17 | Kingdom of Fife | 1991–2024 2024– |
Anstruther Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
232002250 | 12-17 withdrawn to Relief fleet, 27 August 2024.[9] |
1194 | 12-35 | Inchcape | 1993–2024 2024– |
Arbroath Relief fleet |
Slipway – |
232002590 | ALB withdrawn from Arbroath, 17 March 2024[10] |
RNLI retired fleet
[edit]ON[a] | Op.No.[b] | Name | In service[6] | Station | Launching method | MMSI[7] | Comments[6] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1119 | – | – | 1987–1988 | – | – | – | Sold 1989. NamedSpirit.June 2023, at Kilclare, Co.Leitrim |
1124 | 12-001 | Peggy and Alex Caird | 1988–1995 1995–1999 1999 1999–2009 2009–2010 2010–2015 |
Bridlington Relief fleet Lytham St Annes Relief fleet Bembridge Relief fleet |
Carriage – Carriage – Carriage – |
316036365 | [Previously 1] Sold Oct 2023, renamedLife Aquatic 12-001,in private ownership atLake Champlain,South Hero, Vermont,USA |
1125 | 12-002 | Sealink Endeavour | 1987–1989 1989–2018 |
Trials Hastings |
– Carriage |
– | Sold 2020. RenamedEndeavour.March 2023, Workboat with Ambrey Shipyards at Hythe Marine, Hampshire. |
1161 | 12-003 | Doris M Mann of Ampthill | 1990–2023 | Wells-next-the-Sea | Carriage | – | Sold 2023. December 2023, Private Ownership,Progreso, Yucatán,Mexico |
1162 | 12-004 | Royal Shipwright | 1990–2007 2007–2008 2008–2016 |
Relief fleet Cromer Relief fleet |
– Carriage – |
232002744 | Sold 2016. RenamedPatricia. July 2023, Survey Pilot Vessel, laid up at Mostyn Docks |
1163 | 12-005 | Lady of Hilbre | 1990–2014 2014–2021 |
Hoylake Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
– | Sold 2022. March 2022, Private Ownership, Medway Bridge Marina |
1164 | 12-006 | Andy Pearce | 1990–2017 2017–2018 |
Llandudno Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
– | Sold in 2019. RenamedNjord. June 2023, Boat trips/charter atBurwick, Orkney |
1165 | 12-007 | Spirit of Derbyshire | 1990–2015 2015 |
Ilfracombe Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
215000129 | Sold 2015. November 2023, RenamedMercy,Valletta,Malta |
1166 | 12-008 | Lincolnshire Poacher | 1990–2017 2017–2021 |
Skegness Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
232003204 | [Previously 2] February 2024, RenamedSamuel Wesley,atSt Peter Port. |
1167 | 12-009 | The Princess Royal (Civil Service No.41) |
1990–2015 2015–2016 |
St Ives Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
232003618 | Sold 1 June 2016. RenamedUlidia. December 2023, workboat with Coleraine Harbour Commissioners. |
1168 | 12-010 | Lily and Vincent Anthony | 1991–2021 2021–2023 |
Pwllheli Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
232003205 | Sold November 2023. |
1148 | 12-11 | Lifetime Care | 1989–1990 1990–1991 1991–2012 2012 2012–2017 |
Relief fleet Workington No.2 Relief fleet Leverburgh Relief fleet |
– Afloat – Afloat – |
– | Sold in 2017. October 2022, Workboat for McMullen Shellfish, Glenariffe Harbour, Co. Antrim |
1169 | 12-12 | Marine Engineer | 1990–1995 1995–2018 2018–2022 2022 |
Relief fleet Bridlington Douglas Relief fleet |
– Carriage Slipway – |
232003625 | Sold Jan 2024. Private Ownership (PUUR),Amsterdam |
1170 | 12-13 | Keep Fit Association | 1991–2021 2021–2024 |
Filey Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
– | Sold May 2024. Pilot Boat with Teignmouth Harbour Authority |
1171 | 12-14 | Ann and James Ritchie | 1991–2019 2019–2021 |
Ramsey Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
250013635 | Sold 2022. RenamedJames Stevens. November 2023, Pilot Boat atNew Ross,Wexford, Ireland |
1173 | 12-16 | Grace Darling | 1991–2020 | Seahouses | Carriage | 232002240 | Sold 2021. See ADES Uruguay below. |
1175 | 12-18 | Fanny Victoria Wilkinson and Frank Stubbs | 1991–2016 2016–2018 |
Scarborough Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
– | Sold 2018. See Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile below |
1176 | 12-19 | The Four Boys | 1991–1998 1998–1999 1999–2016 2016–2017 |
Sennen Cove Relief fleet Amble Relief fleet |
Slipway – Afloat – |
232020008 | [Previously 3] December 2023, RenamedMarieanne,Survey Pilot Vessel at Mostyn Docks. |
1178 | 12-21 | Margaret Jean | 1992–1998 1998–1999 1999–2008 2008–2014 2014–2020 |
Relief fleet Lytham St Annes Relief fleet Exmouth Relief fleet |
– Carriage – Carriage – |
232002290 | Sold 2020. RenamedArwen Myrtle. December 2023, Private Vessel,St Peter Port,Guernsey |
1182 | 12-23 | Robert Charles Brown | 1992–2016 2016–2019 |
Swanage Relief fleet |
Slipway – |
– | Sold 2019. RenamedAtlantic. June 2023, Privately owned,Stellendam,Netherlands |
1183 | 12-24 | Lil Cunningham | 1992–2019 | Rhyl | Carriage | 232002741 | Sold 2020. RenamedEllen Rodger. March 2023, Workboat with Calypso Marine,Burtisland,Fife. |
1184 | 12-25 | Bingo Lifeline | 1992–2020 | Relief fleet | – | 232002573 | Sold 2021. See ADES Uruguay below. |
1185 | 12-26 | Moira Barrie | 1992–2019 | Barmouth | Carriage | 232030482 | Sold 2020. November 2023, RenamedArwen.Ferry Boat for Western Isles Cruises,Mallaig |
1186 | 12-27 | Pride and Spirit | 1992–2014 2014–2016 2016–2019 |
Dungeness Clifden Relief fleet |
Carriage Afloat – |
232003202 | Sold 2021. See ADES Uruguay below. |
1187 | 12-28 | Mary Margaret | 1992–2004 2004–2019 2019–2022 2022–2023 |
Kilmore Quay Relief fleet Peel Relief fleet |
Afloat – Afloat – |
232002581 | Sold 2023. March 2024, RenamedPisces,in private ownership,Yarmouth, IOW |
1188 | 12-29 | Eleanor and Bryant Girling | 1993–2022 2022 |
Newcastle Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
244729436 | Sold 2022. RenamedThe Mersey(3-YG-894). November 2023, privately owned inLeeuwarden, Netherlands[11] |
1189 | 12-30 | Her Majesty The Queen | 1993–1996 1996–1999 1999 1999–2018 2018–2021 |
Relief fleet Cromer Relief fleet Lytham St Annes Relief fleet |
– Carriage – Carriage – |
232002574 | 15 November 2023, On display atChatham Historic Dockyard[4] |
1190 | 12-31 | Doris Bleasdale | 1993–2019 | Clogherhead | Carriage | 232031477 | Sold 2020. December 2022, RenamedKnot on Call,Pleasure boat atTenby,Pembrokeshire |
1191 | 12-32 | Joy and Charles Beeby | 1993–2023 2023–2024 2024 |
Berwick-upon-Tweed Douglas Relief fleet |
Slipway Slipway – |
– | Sold July 2024. Based in Dartmouth for use in offshore funeral services. |
1192 | 12-33 | Fisherman's Friend | 1993–1999 1999 1999–2016 2016–2019 |
Relief fleet Lytham St Annes Relief fleet Clifden |
– Carriage – Afloat |
– | Sold 2020. March 2021, Survey Vessel, Galway, Ireland, last seen,Crosshaven,March 2024. |
1195 | 12-36 | Royal Thames | 1993–2012 2012–2018 2018 |
Eastbourne Leverburgh Relief fleet |
Afloat Afloat – |
– | Sold Jan 2021. RenamedSea Searcher. October 2022, Survey Safety Vessel with deeperdorset.co.uk |
1196 | 12-37 | Sylvia Burrell | 1993–2018 | Girvan | Afloat | – | Sold August 2021. RenamedAilsa Craig. April 2022, Under survey, Island Harbour Marina, IOW |
Uruguay
[edit]ADES Uruguay is an Honorary Lifesaving Institution founded in 1955. All our volunteers are honorary, people who train weekly to go to sea with the sole purpose of helping whoever requests help. The rescues have no cost to the beneficiaries. At the national level ADES Uruguay is part of the National Emergency Committee and at the international level it is part of the IMRF (International Maritime Rescue Federation)[12]
RNLI ON | Name | In Service[6] | Station | MMSI[7] | Comments[6] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1173 | ADES 28 Grace Darling | 2021– | Colonia del Sacramento | 232002240 | |
1184 | ADES 29 BROU 125 Anniversario | 2021– | Montevideo | 232002573 | |
1186 | ADES 30 | 2021– | Punta del Este | 232003202 |
Chile
[edit]Operated by Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile
RNLI ON | Name | In Service[6] | Station | Comments[6] |
---|---|---|---|---|
1175 | Valparaiso IV | 2018– | Valparaiso | Images of 12-28 in Chile arehere,still in near RNLI colours. |
Notes
[edit]- ^Sold 2015, RenamedMersey Rosewith Needles Pleasure Cruises.
2017, RenamedOrange Apex,with Orange Force Marine Ltd and Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel, Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada. - ^Sold 2021. RenamedBailiwick Relianceat St Peter Port.
- ^Sold in 2018.
RenamedThe Four Boys of Pendennis.Workboat in Falmouth.
References
[edit]- ^Wake-Walker, Edward; Deane, Heather; Purches, Georgette (1989).Lifeboat! Royal National Lifeboat Institution.Shepperton: Ian Allan. pp. 38–43.ISBN0-7110-1835-9.
- ^abDenton, Tony (2009).Handbook 2009.Shrewsbury: Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 30–35.
- ^abWake-Walker, Edward (2008).The Lifeboats Story.Stroud: Sutton Publishing. p. 69.ISBN978-0-7509-4858-6.
- ^ab"HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh joins RNLI for retirement of HM The Queen lifeboat".RNLI.Retrieved13 December2023.
- ^"Mersey".Lifeboats and stations.RNLI.Retrieved12 July2012.
- ^abcdefghijLeonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024).Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024.Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
- ^abcd"Marine Traffic".
- ^Litt, Jo (7 October 2024)."Aldeburgh RNLI to bid farewell to 'Freddie Cooper' with fitting send off".RNLI.Retrieved11 October2024.
- ^Macnamara, Martin (27 August 2024)."After 33 years in Scotland, the Mersey-class lifeboat bows out in Anstruther".RNLI.Retrieved27 August2024.
- ^"Facebook".www.facebook.com.Retrieved12 March2024.
- ^"Marine Traffic The Mersey".Retrieved22 November2023.
- ^"ADES Uruguay".Retrieved27 November2023.