Thames-class lifeboat

Class overview
Builders	Brooke Marine, Lowestoft
Operators	Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Preceded by	Barnett-class
Succeeded by	Arun-class
Built	1973–1974
In service	1974–1997
Planned	6
Completed	2
Cancelled	4
Active	0
Retired	2
General characteristics
Type	Motor lifeboat
Displacement	24–27 tons
Length	50 ft (15 m)
Beam	14 ft 6 in (4.42 m)
Propulsion	2 × 390 bhp (290 kW) General Motors 8V71T; V-8 diesel;
Speed	17.5 knots (20.1 mph)
Range	210 nautical miles (390 km)
Crew	6

Last updated January 11, 2025

The Thames-class lifeboat was operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from its stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom between 1974 and 1997. Six were ordered but only two completed; they have both been sold on to other users.

History

In the 1960s the RNLI's fleet consisted of motor lifeboats of limited speed due to the shape of their hull. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) had developed a faster 44-foot motor lifeboat which planed across the water with a reduced contact area and therefore could move much faster. The RNLI obtained one in 1964.^[1] This led to the introduction of the 44-foot-10-inch (13.67 m) Waveney-class into service in 1967.^[2] The RNLI's architects designed a larger version with a longer hull and a bow of different shape. Six boats were ordered, four from Brooke Marine in Lowestoft and two from Richard Dunston in Hessle, but a cash-flow problem saw the project cancelled after just two of the Brooke Marine order had been built. Cancellation charges were paid as the builders had already ordered the necessary materials. Instead the alternative Arun-class lifeboat, which had first launched in 1971, went into full production.^[1]

Description

The Thames class had 50 feet (15 m) steel hulls. They were powered by a pair of 390 horsepower (290 kW) General Motors diesel engines.^[3]

Fleet

RNLB Rotary Service (ON 1031)

This prototype Thames-class, RNLI Official Number (ON 1031) and Operational Number 50-001 was launched in 1973 and was named Rotary Service^[2] as its £200,000 price was funded by Rotary International. It entered service at Falmouth in December 1974 and was in service there until August 1978. During this time it was used for 45 service calls and saved 17 lives. Its most meritorious service in this time was on 28 November 1977 when Coxswain Arthur West was awarded an RNLI Bronze Medal for his outstanding seamanship and tremendous courage in saving six men from a storm-lashed 110 by 70 feet (34,000 by 21,000 mm) barge.^[3] In 1979 it was reallocated to Dover ^[2] where it was well liked.^[1] It was replaced in 1997^[2] by brand new Severn-class RNLB City of London II (ON 1220).^[4]

After a few months in the relief fleet, Rotary Service was withdrawn from service. The following year it was sold and by 2008 was working as the pilot boat Treffry at Castletownbere in Ireland.^[2]

In 2015, the Thames Class Lifeboat Trust (later renamed the 50001 Youth Training Trust) purchased the Rotary Service for use as a training vessel. The Lowestoft-based charity teaches young and disadvantaged individuals seamanship skills to give them the confidence to take jobs in the maritime sector.^[5]

RNLB Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit (ON 1032)

The second Thames-class vessel was launched in 1976 and received the name Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit. Until 1979 it was used for further trials but then took up station at Islay. It too was withdrawn in 1997 but the following year was sold for further use as a lifeboat. It was shipped to New Zealand where it was renamed P&O Nedlloyd Rescue and put into service with Sumner Lifeboat Institution Inc. It was sold to Lyttelton Port Company Ltd when replaced in 2010 by a new locally built Sumner-class lifeboat. It now serves as a LPC work boat and relief pilot boat named LPC Rescue.^[2]

The cancelled boats were to have been ON 1038-41, 50-003 to 50-006. These Official Numbers were not reallocated.

ON^[a]	Op. No.^[b]	Name	Built	In service	Principal stations	Comments^[6]
1031	50-001	Rotary Service	1973	1974–1978 1979–1997 1997–1998	Falmouth Dover Relief fleet	Sold 1998.
1032	50-002	Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit	1976	1976–1979 1979–1997	Trials Islay	Sold 1998. In service as P&O Nedlloyd Rescue with New Zealand.

↑ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
↑ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

Related Research Articles

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is the largest of the lifeboat services operating around the coasts of the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, as well as on some inland waterways.

<i>Arun</i>-class lifeboat Former RNLI lifeboat class

The Arun-class lifeboat was a fast all-weather lifeboat designed by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for service at its stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland. They were operated by the RNLI between 1971 and 2008. Many have been sold to see further service in the lifeboat and coastguard services of other countries.

Severn-class lifeboat All-weather lifeboat class of the RNLI

The Severn class is the largest lifeboat operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The class, which is 17.3 metres long, was introduced in to service in 1996. It is named after the River Severn, the longest river in Great Britain. The lifeboats are stationed at 35 locations around the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland and can provide coverage up to 125 nmi (232 km) out to sea.

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.

The Tyne-class lifeboat was a class of lifeboat that served as a part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution fleet until 2019. They were named after the River Tyne in North East England.

The Trent-class lifeboat is an all-weather lifeboat operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from 30 stations around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland to provide coverage up to 50 miles (80 km) out to sea. Introduced to service in 1994, the class is named after the River Trent, the second longest river wholly in England.

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

Teddington Lifeboat Station is a lifeboat station in Teddington, in west London, on the River Thames. It is one of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)'s newest lifeboat stations and is also one of the first to cover a river rather than estuarial waters or the sea. Teddington Lock is the highest tidal point on the Thames.

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat station is a RNLI base in Norfolk, England. There were originally two separate stations at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston – two coastal towns either side of the River Yare. These were merged in 1926.

The Oakley-class lifeboat refers to two types of self-righting lifeboat operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) around the coast of the United Kingdom and Ireland between 1958 and 1993. The 37-foot (11.3 m) Oakley was designed for carriage launching, while the larger 48-foot-6-inch (14.8 m) version was designed for slipway launching or to lie afloat. During their service they saved a combined total of 1,456 lives in 3,734 rescue launches.

Falmouth Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Falmouth, Cornwall in the United Kingdom. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1867 and the present station was opened in 1993. It operates a Severn Class all-weather Lifeboat (ALB) and an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat (ILB).

Salcombe Lifeboat Station is the base for Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) search and rescue operations at Salcombe, Devon in England. The first lifeboat was stationed in the town in 1869. The Salcombe Lifeboat has twice capsized, in 1916 with the loss of 13 lives, and in 1983 with no loss of life. Since 2008 the station has operated a Tamar-class all weather boat (ALB) and an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat (ILB).

The Waveney-class lifeboat was the first class of lifeboats operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) capable of operating at speeds in excess of 10 knots (12 mph). Based on an American design, 22 saw operational service between 1964 and 1999 at the RNLI's stations around the coast of the United Kingdom and Ireland. After being superseded by faster boats in the 1990s, many were sold for further use with lifeboat services abroad, notably in Australia and New Zealand.

The Brede-class lifeboat was operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from its stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom between 1982 and 2002, at which time it was the fastest all-weather lifeboat in its fleet. Eleven were put into service and when replaced by larger boats, seven were sold for further use as lifeboats, mainly in South Africa.

Southwold Lifeboat Station is an RNLI operated lifeboat station located in the town of Southwold in the English county of Suffolk.

Norfolk and Suffolk-class lifeboats were lifeboats operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland. They were able to operate further from shore and around the sandbanks common off East Anglia.

Lowestoft Lifeboat Station is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) operated lifeboat station in the town of Lowestoft in the English county of Suffolk. The station is located at the mouth of Lowestoft's outer harbour on the South pier. It is one of the oldest lifeboat stations in the United Kingdom, having been established in 1801.

The Surf-class was a light non self-righting displacement hull motor lifeboat built between 1935 and 1940 and operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) between 1936 and 1965.

Grimsby Lifeboat Station was located at the Port of Grimsby, in the county of Lincolnshire.

Islay Lifeboat Station is located in the harbour village of Port Askaig, which sits on the Sound of Islay, in the north east corner of the Isle of Islay, off the north-west coast of Scotland.

References

1 2 3 Kipling, Ray; Kipling, Susannah (2006). Never Turn Back. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. pp. 83–85. ISBN 0-7509-4307-6.
1 2 3 4 5 6 Denton, Tony (2009). Handbook 2009. Shrewsbury: Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 26–27.
1 2 Morris, Jeff (2002). The History of the Falmouth Lifeboats (2nd ed.). Coventry: Lifeboat Enthusiast's Society. pp. 17–18.
↑ Denton, Tony (2009). Handbook 2009. Shrewsbury: Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. p. 34.
↑ The 50001 Youth Training Trust. About the Trust. (Retrieved 27 December 2020).
↑ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2023). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2023. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society.

External links

The 50001 Youth Training Trust

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[6] ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.

[7] Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

[Never-1] 1 2 3 Kipling, Ray; Kipling, Susannah (2006). Never Turn Back. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. pp. 83–85. ISBN 0-7509-4307-6.

[Handbook-2] 1 2 3 4 5 6 Denton, Tony (2009). Handbook 2009. Shrewsbury: Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 26–27.

[Falmouth-3] 1 2 Morris, Jeff (2002). The History of the Falmouth Lifeboats (2nd ed.). Coventry: Lifeboat Enthusiast's Society. pp. 17–18.

[4] Denton, Tony (2009). Handbook 2009. Shrewsbury: Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. p. 34.

[5] The 50001 Youth Training Trust. About the Trust. (Retrieved 27 December 2020).

[LBES-8] Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2023). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2023. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society.

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