Shannon_class_lifeboat

Shannon-class lifeboat

Shannon-class lifeboat

Lifeboat of the British RNLI

The Shannon-class lifeboat[1] (previously FCB2 – Fast Carriage Boat 2) is the latest class of lifeboat currently being deployed to the RNLI fleet to serve the shores of the British Isles. The Shannon class is due to replace most Mersey-class lifeboats and some Trent-class lifeboats.

Quick Facts Class overview, General characteristics (1st Experimental boat, Camarc hull) ...

History

FCB2, the prototype boat

The experimental boat, named Effseabee Too underwent sea trials during 2005–2008. It is based on a Camarc Pilot vessel design, and was designed by RNLI engineers, with a fibre-reinforced composite hull, powered by twin water jets. It had a top speed of approximately 30 knots (55 km/h; 35 mph), but was planned to be rated down to 25–27 knots (46–50 km/h; 29–31 mph) when the final design was put into production. In 2008, FCB2 development was delayed due to hull shape issues, as trials showed crews would be subjected to unacceptable shocks and excessive horizontal shaking in high seas. The RNLI indicated that the project would be extended by at least three more years to research a new hull shape.

In April 2009 it was announced a new hull had been chosen. The Shannon class prototype boat was completed late 2011 when active service was expected to start in mid-2013.

In April 2011 it was announced the class would be named after the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. This is the first time that the name of an Irish river has been used for a class of RNLI lifeboat.

After boatyard acceptance in March 2012 the first of the fleet went through sea acceptance trials in 2012.

Early hulls were moulded by SAR Composites and up to ON1318 were fitted out by Berthon Boat Co. of Lymington.[2]

From ON1319 fitting-out progressively switched to the RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) at Poole, to which hull moulding also transferred from ON1330.

Service

The first Shannon-class to be delivered for service was demonstrated at Dungeness, Kent on 21 February 2014. The boat, to begin active service the following month, has been named The Morrell in honour of Barbara Morrell, a keen fundraiser for the RNLI who bequeathed the service £6 million which she asked to be used for a lifeboat for Kent.[3]

The Shannon class uses similar Systems and Information Management System (SIMS)[4] technology to that of the Tamar-class lifeboat so that crew members can operate all of the boat's systems collaboratively without leaving their seats. Crew seats are also similar to the Tamar, sprung to reduce the shocks in heavy seas. [5]

Bridlington's Shannon Class on SLARS

Most Shannons are launched by a newly designed Shannon Launch and Recovery System (SLARS) by which a tractor propels the lifeboat on its cradle into the water. The cradle is then tilted and acts as a mobile slipway as the boat is launched by release of a single bow strop from the wheelhouse, rather than the old carriage launched method of four chains being released by crew members on deck. Recovery is bow first onto the cradle, which then rotates through 180 degrees, enabling the boat to be launched again within ten minutes. Some Shannons are due to be kept afloat at moorings or a pontoon berth and the boats are also capable of being slipway launched, although only Swanage currently has a slipway launched Shannon. The boat at Workington uses the same davit crane system as the previous Tyne-class lifeboat.[6]

Fleet

More information ON, Op. No. ...
  1. ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.
  3. (Brackets) used to signify that a boat is assigned to, but isn't yet at, the specific station
  4. Relief boats use the launch method of the station they are covering. Boats are capable of any of the launch methods but may require minor modification.

Notes

  1. [N 1]
    Sold 2013. Renamed BMS Noorman, a Rescue/Salvage/Crew tender at Lauwersoog, Netherlands

References

  1. [1]
    "Shannon class lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  2. [2]
    "Shannon Class Lifeboats". Berthon.
  3. [3]
    "Shannon superlifeboat arrives at Dungeness". BBC. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  4. [4]
    "SIMS: Technology that puts crew safety first". RNLI. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  5. [5]
    "Design: RNLI's Shannon Class Lifeboat". New Wave Media.
  6. [6]
    "Workington Lifeboat Station - RNLI Lifeboat Stations". rnli.org. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  7. [7]
    Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
  8. [8]
    "Lowestoft to receive new RNLI Shannon class lifeboat". Rnli.org. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  9. [9]
    "Generous legacy from former Wren to fund Hoylake's new RNLI lifeboat". Wirral Globe. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  10. [10]
    "Newest lifeboat for new Montrose RNLI station". BBC News Online. BBC. 20 July 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  11. [11]
    "New Shannon class water jet lifeboat arrives at RNLI Montrose station". BBC News. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  12. [12]
    "The 'Richard and Caroline Colton' Lifeboat arrives at Hastings". H & H Classic Auctions. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  13. [13]
    "Eyemouth RNLI officially names its new Shannon class lifeboat". RNLI. 2 June 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  14. [14]
    Stockford, Norma (14 February 2019). "Barmouth RNLI prepares for the arrival of their new lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  15. [15]
    "Clogherhead RNLI Welcomes Latest €2.5m Shannon Class Lifeboat to Louth station". Afloat.ie. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  16. [16]
    "Crowds welcome Rhyl RNLI's new £2.5m lifeboat Mrs Brown's Boys star helped buy". DailyPost. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
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    Barua, Ariane (4 October 2021). "New Peel lifeboat will enter service this month". 3FM. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
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    Clayton, Ian (23 December 2020). "An early Christmas present for Seahouses lifeboat crew". RNLI. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  19. [19]
    "Launch a Memory Lifeboat Campaign". RNLI. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  20. [20]
    Dunt, Paul (10 October 2022). "Sheerness RNLI's new Shannon class lifeboat named Judith Copping Joyce". RNLI. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  21. [21]
    "Pwllheli RNLI welcomes new Shannon Class lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  22. [22]
    "First Shannon-Class Lifeboat arrives in SE Ireland". Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  23. [23]
    "Isle of Man 'most advanced' lifeboat arrives in Ramsey". BBC. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  24. [24]
    "Clifden RNLI Bring Their New 'Launch a Memory' Lifeboat St. Christopher Home to an Emotional Welcome". Afloat.ie. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  25. [25]
    "Always be remembered on a legacy lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  26. [26]
    Stephenson, Niamh (9 September 2023). "Courtmacsherry RNLI welcomes donor to name Shannon class lifeboat Val Adnams". RNLI. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  27. [27]
    Hickey, Daniel (9 October 2022). "Thousands enjoy 'epic occasion' as new lifeboat arrives on coast". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  28. [28]
    Williams, Kate (11 January 2023). "Bell ringing ceremony takes place for New Quay RNLI's new lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  29. [29]
    Mitchinson, James, ed. (5 April 2023). "Target is reached for lifeboat tributes". The Yorkshire Post. p. 7. ISSN 0963-1496.
  30. [30]
    "New lifeboat arrives in Oban". RNLI. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  31. [31]
    "Barry Dock RNLI gets new lifeboat thanks to Ferrari donation". Barry And District News. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  32. [32]
    Walsham, Mark (2 April 2024). "Clacton-on-Sea RNLI Bellringing Ceremony for new lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
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