Atlantic 85 B-805 on exercise in Bangor
Class overview
Name	Atlantic 85
Builders	Inshore Lifeboat Centre, Cowes
Operators	Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Preceded by	Atlantic 75
Cost	£140,000 to £180,000
In service	2005–
In commission	2006–
Completed	144
General characteristics
Class and type	B-class Atlantic 85
Displacement	1.8 tonnes
Length	8.44 m (27.7 ft)
Beam	2.85 m (9.4 ft)
Draught	0.53 m (1.7 ft)
Propulsion	2 × Yamaha 4-stroke outboard engines, 115 hp (86 kW) 210 litres fuel
Speed	35 knots (40 mph; 65 km/h)
Endurance	2.5 hours
Capacity	24
Complement	4

The Atlantic 85 is the third generation Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB), in the B-class series of Inshore lifeboats, operated around the shores of the British Isles and the Channel Islands by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Developed from the Atlantic 21 and the later Atlantic 75, it was first placed on service in 2005, and has gradually now replaced the older Atlantic 75-class. The Atlantic design of the B-class of lifeboats is named after Atlantic College, where the design was originally developed.^[1]

The hull is constructed in a fibre reinforced composite, consisting of a carbon fibre and foam core laminate with an epoxy glass and foam sandwich layup. The tubes are Hypalon.

The boat is powered by twin 115 hp (86 kW) Yamaha 4-stroke outboard engines that have been inversion-proofed to ensure the engines are still operational after a capsize.

Like previous RIBs, it has a manually operated self-righting mechanism that deploys an airbag mounted atop the A-frame. It is capable of being beached in an emergency without sustaining damage to engines or steering gear. The Atlantic 85 is fitted with radar and VHF direction finding equipment and can be operated safely in daylight in a force 6/7 and at night in a force 5/6.^[2]

The Atlantic 85 also has intercom communications between the crew and VHF radio via their helmets. The lifeboat is also equipped with the RNLI's SIMS (ship information & management system) which provides the crew with combined chartplotter and AIS, radar and VHF directional finding capability. It also carries searchlights, handheld night-vision equipment and illuminating paraflares for night-time operations, as well as casualty care equipment.

To ensure equipment is kept to a high standard of repair, boats go through annual or bi-annual overhauls, and 4-year refits.^[3]

All of the following fleet details are referenced to the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society Handbook, published annually, with information retrieved directly from RNLI records.^[4]

• 
  A close up of the console & controls of Atlantic 85 B-805
• 
  Atlantic 85 B-805 launching in Bangor in 2008
• 
  Atlantic 85 B-824 with an Atlantic 75 & a D class in 2010
• 
  Atlantic 85 B-832 in Porthcawl in 2011
• 
  Atlantic 85 B-832 in Porthcawl in 2011
• 
  Atlantic 85 (B-826) at Poole in 2017

• Talus MB-H amphibious tractor
• Talus MB-4H amphibious tractor
• Talus MB-764 amphibious tractor
• Talus Atlantic 85 DO-DO launch carriage

• RNLI Fleet
• B-class Atlantic 85