H-class lifeboat

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RNLI Hovercraft H-001 2005-07-16.jpg
RNLI Hovercraft H001 Molly Rayner in 2005
Class overview
NameH-class rescue hovercraft
Builders Griffon Hoverwork
Operators Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
Preceded byNone
Built2002–2009
In service2002–
Completed7
Active7
General characteristics
Displacement3.86 tonnes
Length6.88 m (22.6 ft)
Beam3.36 m (11.0 ft)
DraughtN/A
Propulsion2 x VW 1.9 turbo diesels
Speed30 knots (35 mph; 56 km/h)
Endurance3 hours
Capacity10
Complement2-4

H-class rescue hovercraft [1] serve the shores of the United Kingdom as a part of the RNLI inshore fleet. A modified Type 470TD design built by Griffon Hoverwork, they were developed to operate in tidal areas such as Morecambe Bay, where strandings by incoming tides can have fatal consequences; and in waters too shallow for normal craft.

Contents

Hovercraft were also assigned to three other stations, New Brighton, Hunstanton, and Southend-on-Sea. In 2016, the New Brighton Hovercraft H-005 Hurley Spirit was reassigned to Hoylake.

In 2023, trials were carried out by the RNLI, assisted by the team at Hoylake station, to evaluate different crafts being considered as a potential successor to the current hovercraft. [2]

Fleet

RNLB Hurley Spirit approaching the old slipway at Hoylake old lifeboat station. RNLI hovercraft on Hoylake beach, May 2021-2.jpg
RNLB Hurley Spirit approaching the old slipway at Hoylake old lifeboat station.
Op.No. [lower-alpha 1] NameIn service [3] Principal StationComments
H-001Molly Rayner2002–Relief fleet [4]
H-002The Hurley Flyer2002– Morecambe [5]
H-003 Hunstanton Flyer
(Civil Service No.45) 		2003– Hunstanton [6]
H-004Vera Ravine2004– Southend-on-Sea [7]
H-005Hurley Spirit2004–2016
2016–		 New Brighton
Hoylake 		[8]
H-006John Russell2005–Relief fleet [9]
H-007Samburgh2009–Relief fleet
  1. ↑ Op.No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat.

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References

  1. ↑ "Rescue hovercraft". RNLI. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  2. ↑ "Hoylake RNLI trial new hovercraft models". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  3. ↑ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
  4. ↑ "This is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's Hovercraft H-001, named Molly Rayner". UK Emergency Vehicles. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  5. ↑ "Morecambe RNLI celebrate 20 years of its inshore rescue hovercraft". RNLI. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  6. ↑ "Hunstanton Flyer is celebrating 20 years of saving lives at sea". Town&Around. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  7. ↑ "Southend-on-Sea RNLI mark the 20th anniversary of the hovercraft". RNLI. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  8. ↑ "20 years of saving lives: Hoylake RNLI mark the anniversary of the hovercraft". RNLI. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  9. ↑ "RNLI hovercraft launched". Motorboat & Yachting. Retrieved 8 November 2005.
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