Mersey-class lifeboat

Last updated

Aldeburgh Lifeboat 12-34 Freddie Cooper (2).jpg
Aldeburgh Lifeboat 12-34 Freddie Cooper (ON 1193)
departs Aldeburgh for the final time, 27 October 2024
Class overview
NameMersey Class
Operators
Preceded by Rother, Oakley
Succeeded by Shannon, B-class (Atlantic 85)
Cost£350,000
Built1987–1993
In service1988–
Completed38
Active9
Retired29
Preserved1
General characteristics
Displacement14.3 t (14.1 long tons)
Length11.62 m (38.1 ft)
Beam4.0 m (13.1 ft)
Draught1.02 m (3.3 ft)
Propulsion2 × 285 hp (213 kW) Caterpillar 3208T diesel engines
Speed17 knots (20 mph; 31 km/h)
Range240  nmi (440 km)
Endurance10.25 hours approx. at cruising speed
Capacity43 survivors (self-righting up to 21)
Complement6

Mersey-class lifeboats are All-weather lifeboats operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from stations around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland, 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.

Contents

The class name comes from the River Mersey which flows into the Irish Sea in north west England.

History

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-hulled Tyne-class came 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 in Westport, County Mayo in 2008 carrying the name Spirit. Two more boats were built in 1988, with the first one to take up active service going to Bridlington Lifeboat Station the following year. [2]

In 1989, 12-11 Lifetime 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 the Shannon-class lifeboats 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, with three Mersey-class lifeboats still on station (Oct 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 12-30 Her Majesty The Queen (ON 1189) to the Chatham Historic Dockyard. [4]

Description

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 3208T Caterpillar turbo-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 inflatable X Boat which 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]

Mersey lifeboat fleet

RNLI active fleet

ON [lower-alpha 1] Op.No. [lower-alpha 2] NameIn service [6] StationLaunching method MMSI [7] Comments [6]
117712-20Leonard Kent1991–2021
2022–		 Margate
Newcastle 		Carriage
Carriage		232002280
118112-22Ruby Clery1992–2019
2019–2022
2022–2023
2024–		 Peel
Ramsey
Douglas
Douglas 		Carriage
Carriage
Slipway
Slipway		232002727

RNLI relief fleet

ON [lower-alpha 1] Op.No. [lower-alpha 2] NameIn service [6] StationLaunching method MMSI [7] Comments [6]
117212-15Frank and Lena
Clifford of Stourbridge		1992–2023
2023–		 New Quay
Relief fleet		Carriage
–		232002726
117412-17Kingdom of Fife1991–2024
2024–		 Anstruther
Relief fleet		Carriage
–		232002250Withdrawn to Relief fleet, 27 August 2024. [8]
119312-34 Freddie Cooper 1993–2024
2024–		 Aldeburgh
Relief fleet		Carriage232003208Withdrawn to Relief fleet, 14 October 2024.
RNLI announced final departure of Aldeburgh Mersey ALB following a service at 13:30 on 27 October 2024. [9]

RNLI retired fleet

ON [lower-alpha 1] Op.No. [lower-alpha 2] NameIn service [6] StationLaunching method MMSI [7] Comments [6]
1119––1987–1988–––Sold 1989.
Named Spirit. June 2023, at Kilclare, Co.Leitrim
112412-001Peggy and Alex Caird1988–1995
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, renamed Life Aquatic 12-001, in private ownership at Lake Champlain, South Hero, Vermont, USA
112512-002Sealink Endeavour1987–1989
1989–2018		Trials
Hastings 		–
Carriage		–Sold 2020.
Renamed Endeavour. March 2023, Workboat with Ambrey Shipyards at Hythe Marine, Hampshire.
116112-003Doris M Mann of Ampthill1990–2023 Wells-next-the-Sea Carriage–Sold 2023.
December 2023, Private Ownership, Progreso, Yucatán, Mexico
116212-004Royal Shipwright1990–2007
2007–2008
2008–2016		Relief fleet
Cromer
Relief fleet		–
Carriage
–		232002744Sold 2016. Renamed Patricia.
July 2023, Survey Pilot Vessel, laid up at Mostyn Docks
116312-005Lady of Hilbre1990–2014
2014–2021		 Hoylake
Relief fleet		Carriage
–		–Sold 2022.
March 2022, Private Ownership, Medway Bridge Marina
116412-006Andy Pearce1990–2017
2017–2018		 Llandudno
Relief fleet		Carriage
–		–Sold in 2019. Renamed Njord.
June 2023, Boat trips/charter at Burwick, Orkney
116512-007Spirit of Derbyshire1990–2015
2015		 Ilfracombe
Relief fleet		Carriage
–		215000129Sold 2015.
November 2023, Renamed Mercy, Valletta, Malta
116612-008Lincolnshire Poacher1990–2017
2017–2021		 Skegness
Relief fleet		Carriage
–		232003204 [Previously 2]
February 2024, Renamed Samuel Wesley, at St Peter Port.
116712-009 The Princess Royal
(Civil Service No.41) 		1990–2015
2015–2016		 St Ives
Relief fleet		Carriage
–		232003618Sold 1 June 2016. Renamed Ulidia.
December 2023, workboat with Coleraine Harbour Commissioners.
116812-010Lily and Vincent Anthony1991–2021
2021–2023		 Pwllheli
Relief fleet		Carriage
–		232003205Sold November 2023.
114812-11Lifetime Care1989–1990
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
116912-12Marine Engineer1990–1995
1995–2018
2018–2022
2022		Relief fleet
Bridlington
Douglas
Relief fleet		–
Carriage
Slipway
–		232003625Sold Jan 2024. Private Ownership (PUUR), Amsterdam
117012-13Keep Fit Association1991–2021
2021–2024		 Filey
Relief fleet		Carriage
–		–Sold May 2024. Pilot Boat with Teignmouth Harbour Authority
117112-14Ann and James Ritchie1991–2019
2019–2021		 Ramsey
Relief fleet		Carriage
–		250013635Sold 2022. Renamed James Stevens.
November 2023, Pilot Boat at New Ross, Wexford, Ireland
117312-16Grace Darling1991–2020 Seahouses Carriage232002240Sold 2021.
See ADES Uruguay below.
117512-18Fanny Victoria Wilkinson and Frank Stubbs1991–2016
2016–2018		 Scarborough
Relief fleet		Carriage
–		–Sold 2018.
See Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile below
117612-19The Four Boys1991–1998
1998–1999
1999–2016
2016–2017		 Sennen Cove
Relief fleet
Amble
Relief fleet		Slipway
–
Afloat
–		232020008 [Previously 3]
December 2023, Renamed Marieanne, Survey Pilot Vessel at Mostyn Docks.
117812-21Margaret Jean1992–1998
1998–1999
1999–2008
2008–2014
2014–2020		Relief fleet
Lytham St Annes
Relief fleet
Exmouth
Relief fleet		–
Carriage
–
Carriage
–		232002290Sold 2020. Renamed Arwen Myrtle.
December 2023, Private Vessel, St Peter Port, Guernsey
118212-23Robert Charles Brown1992–2016
2016–2019		 Swanage
Relief fleet		Slipway
–		–Sold 2019. Renamed Atlantic.
June 2023, Privately owned, Stellendam, Netherlands
118312-24Lil Cunningham1992–2019 Rhyl Carriage232002741Sold 2020. Renamed Ellen Rodger.
March 2023, Workboat with Calypso Marine, Burtisland, Fife.
118412-25Bingo Lifeline1992–2020Relief fleet–232002573Sold 2021.
See ADES Uruguay below.
118512-26Moira Barrie1992–2019 Barmouth Carriage232030482Sold 2020.
November 2023, Renamed Arwen. Ferry Boat for Western Isles Cruises, Mallaig
118612-27Pride and Spirit1992–2014
2014–2016
2016–2019		 Dungeness
Clifden
Relief fleet		Carriage
Afloat
–		232003202Sold 2021.
See ADES Uruguay below.
118712-28Mary Margaret1992–2004
2004–2019
2019–2022
2022–2023		 Kilmore Quay
Relief fleet
Peel
Relief fleet		Afloat
–
Afloat
–		232002581Sold 2023. March 2024, Renamed Pisces, in private ownership, Yarmouth, IOW
118812-29Eleanor and Bryant Girling1993–2022
2022		 Newcastle
Relief fleet		Carriage
–		244729436Sold 2022.
Renamed The Mersey (3-YG-894). November 2023, privately owned in Leeuwarden, Netherlands [10]
118912-30Her Majesty The Queen1993–1996
1996–1999
1999
1999–2018
2018–2021		Relief fleet
Cromer
Relief fleet
Lytham St Annes
Relief fleet		–
Carriage
–
Carriage
–		23200257415 November 2023, On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard [4]
119012-31Doris Bleasdale1993–2019 Clogherhead Carriage232031477Sold 2020.
December 2022, Renamed Knot on Call, Pleasure boat at Tenby, Pembrokeshire
119112-32Joy and Charles Beeby1993–2023
2023–2024
2024		 Berwick-upon-Tweed
Douglas
Relief fleet		Slipway
Slipway
–		–Sold July 2024. Based in Dartmouth for use in offshore funeral services.
119212-33Fisherman's Friend1993–1999
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.
119412-35Inchcape1993–2024
2024		 Arbroath SlipwayALB withdrawn from Arbroath, 17 March 2024. [11]
Sold 2024. Reported to be based at Portland Marina.
119512-36Royal Thames1993–2012
2012–2018
2018		 Eastbourne
Leverburgh
Relief fleet		Afloat
Afloat
–		–Sold Jan 2021.
Renamed Sea Searcher.
October 2022, Survey Safety Vessel with deeperdorset.co.uk
119612-37Sylvia Burrell1993–2018 Girvan Afloat–Sold August 2021.
Renamed Ailsa Craig.
April 2022, Under survey, Island Harbour Marina, IOW
  1. 1 2 3 ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. 1 2 3 Op.No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

Uruguay

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 ONNameIn Service [6] Station MMSI [7] Comments [6]
1173ADES 28 Grace Darling2021– Colonia del Sacramento 232002240
1184ADES 29 BROU 125 Anniversario2021– Montevideo 232002573
1186ADES 302021– Punta del Este 232003202

Chile

Operated by Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile

RNLI ONNameIn Service [6] StationComments [6]
1175Valparaiso IV2018– Valparaiso Images of 12-28 in Chile are here, still in near RNLI colours.

Notes

  1. ↑ Sold 2015, Renamed Mersey Rose with Needles Pleasure Cruises.
    2017, Renamed Orange Apex, with Orange Force Marine Ltd and Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel, Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada.
  2. ↑ Sold 2021. Renamed Bailiwick Reliance at St Peter Port.
  3. ↑ Sold in 2018.
    Renamed The Four Boys of Pendennis. Workboat in Falmouth.

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References

  1. ↑ Wake-Walker, Edward; Deane, Heather; Purches, Georgette (1989). Lifeboat! Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Shepperton: Ian Allan. pp. 38–43. ISBN   0-7110-1835-9.
  2. 1 2 Denton, Tony (2009). Handbook 2009. Shrewsbury: Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 30–35.
  3. 1 2 Wake-Walker, Edward (2008). The Lifeboats Story. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. p. 69. ISBN   978-0-7509-4858-6.
  4. 1 2 "HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh joins RNLI for retirement of HM The Queen lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  5. ↑ "Mersey". Lifeboats and stations. RNLI. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Marine Traffic".
  8. ↑ Macnamara, Martin (27 August 2024). "After 33 years in Scotland, the Mersey-class lifeboat bows out in Anstruther". RNLI. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  9. ↑ Litt, Jo (7 October 2024). "Aldeburgh RNLI to bid farewell to 'Freddie Cooper' with fitting send off". RNLI. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  10. ↑ "Marine Traffic The Mersey" . Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  11. ↑ Macnamara, Martin (15 March 2024). "Arbroath RNLI bid farewell to the Mersey-class lifeboat after 30 years' service". RNLI. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  12. ↑ "ADES Uruguay" . Retrieved 27 November 2023.
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