Mersey-class lifeboat
 Aldeburgh Lifeboat 12-34 Freddie Cooper (ON 1193) departs Aldeburgh for the final time, 27 October 2024 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Mersey Class |
| Operators |
|
| Preceded by | Rother, Oakley |
| Succeeded by | Shannon, B-class (Atlantic 85) |
| Cost | £350,000 |
| Built | 1987–1993 |
| In service | 1988– |
| Completed | 38 |
| Active | 9 |
| Retired | 29 |
| Preserved | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 14.3 t (14.1 long tons) |
| Length | 11.62 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.0 m (13.1 ft) |
| Draught | 1.02 m (3.3 ft) |
| Propulsion | 2 × 285 hp (213 kW) Caterpillar 3208T diesel engines |
| Speed | 17 knots (20 mph; 31 km/h) |
| Range | 240 nmi (440 km) |
| Endurance | 10.25 hours approx. at cruising speed |
| Capacity | 43 survivors (self-righting up to 21) |
| Complement | 6 |
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 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]
Gallery
Launching from a carriage and Talus MB-H amphibious tractor
Launching from a slipway
Stern showing the protected propellers
Engine room
Mersey lifeboat fleet
RNLI active fleet
| ON[a] | Op.No.[b] | Name | In service[6] | Station | Launching method | MMSI[7] | Comments[6] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1177 | 12-20 | Leonard Kent | 1991–2021 2022– |
Margate Newcastle |
Carriage Carriage |
232002280 | |
| 1181 | 12-22 | Ruby Clery | 1992–2019 2019–2022 2022–2023 2024– |
Peel Ramsey Douglas Douglas |
Carriage Carriage Slipway Slipway |
232002727 |
RNLI relief fleet
| ON[a] | Op.No.[b] | Name | In service[6] | Station | Launching method | MMSI[7] | Comments[6] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1172 | 12-15 | Frank and Lena Clifford of Stourbridge |
1992–2023 2023– |
New Quay Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
232002726 | |
| 1174 | 12-17 | Kingdom of Fife | 1991–2024 2024– |
Anstruther Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
232002250 | Withdrawn to Relief fleet, 27 August 2024.[8] |
| 1193 | 12-34 | Freddie Cooper | 1993–2024 2024– |
Aldeburgh Relief fleet |
Carriage | 232003208 | Withdrawn 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[a] | Op.No.[b] | Name | In service[6] | Station | Launching method | MMSI[7] | Comments[6] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1119 | – | – | 1987–1988 | – | – | – | Sold 1989. Named Spirit. June 2023, at Kilclare, Co.Leitrim |
| 1124 | 12-001 | Peggy and Alex Caird | 1988–1995 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 |
| 1125 | 12-002 | Sealink Endeavour | 1987–1989 1989–2018 |
Trials Hastings |
– Carriage |
– | Sold 2020. Renamed Endeavour. March 2023, Workboat with Ambrey Shipyards at Hythe Marine, Hampshire. |
| 1161 | 12-003 | Doris M Mann of Ampthill | 1990–2023 | Wells-next-the-Sea | Carriage | – | Sold 2023. December 2023, Private Ownership, Progreso, Yucatán, Mexico |
| 1162 | 12-004 | Royal Shipwright | 1990–2007 2007–2008 2008–2016 |
Relief fleet Cromer Relief fleet |
– Carriage – |
232002744 | Sold 2016. Renamed Patricia. July 2023, Survey Pilot Vessel, laid up at Mostyn Docks |
| 1163 | 12-005 | Lady of Hilbre | 1990–2014 2014–2021 |
Hoylake Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
– | Sold 2022. March 2022, Private Ownership, Medway Bridge Marina |
| 1164 | 12-006 | Andy Pearce | 1990–2017 2017–2018 |
Llandudno Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
– | Sold in 2019. Renamed Njord. June 2023, Boat trips/charter at Burwick, Orkney |
| 1165 | 12-007 | Spirit of Derbyshire | 1990–2015 2015 |
Ilfracombe Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
215000129 | Sold 2015. November 2023, Renamed Mercy, Valletta, Malta |
| 1166 | 12-008 | Lincolnshire Poacher | 1990–2017 2017–2021 |
Skegness Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
232003204 | [Previously 2] February 2024, Renamed Samuel Wesley, at St Peter Port. |
| 1167 | 12-009 | The Princess Royal (Civil Service No.41) |
1990–2015 2015–2016 |
St Ives Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
232003618 | Sold 1 June 2016. Renamed Ulidia. December 2023, workboat with Coleraine Harbour Commissioners. |
| 1168 | 12-010 | Lily and Vincent Anthony | 1991–2021 2021–2023 |
Pwllheli Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
232003205 | Sold November 2023. |
| 1148 | 12-11 | Lifetime Care | 1989–1990 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 |
| 1169 | 12-12 | Marine Engineer | 1990–1995 1995–2018 2018–2022 2022 |
Relief fleet Bridlington Douglas Relief fleet |
– Carriage Slipway – |
232003625 | Sold Jan 2024. Private Ownership (PUUR), Amsterdam |
| 1170 | 12-13 | Keep Fit Association | 1991–2021 2021–2024 |
Filey Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
– | Sold May 2024. Pilot Boat with Teignmouth Harbour Authority |
| 1171 | 12-14 | Ann and James Ritchie | 1991–2019 2019–2021 |
Ramsey Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
250013635 | Sold 2022. Renamed James Stevens. November 2023, Pilot Boat at New Ross, Wexford, Ireland |
| 1173 | 12-16 | Grace Darling | 1991–2020 | Seahouses | Carriage | 232002240 | Sold 2021. See ADES Uruguay below. |
| 1175 | 12-18 | Fanny Victoria Wilkinson and Frank Stubbs | 1991–2016 2016–2018 |
Scarborough Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
– | Sold 2018. See Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile below |
| 1176 | 12-19 | The Four Boys | 1991–1998 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. |
| 1178 | 12-21 | Margaret Jean | 1992–1998 1998–1999 1999–2008 2008–2014 2014–2020 |
Relief fleet Lytham St Annes Relief fleet Exmouth Relief fleet |
– Carriage – Carriage – |
232002290 | Sold 2020. Renamed Arwen Myrtle. December 2023, Private Vessel, St Peter Port, Guernsey |
| 1182 | 12-23 | Robert Charles Brown | 1992–2016 2016–2019 |
Swanage Relief fleet |
Slipway – |
– | Sold 2019. Renamed Atlantic. June 2023, Privately owned, Stellendam, Netherlands |
| 1183 | 12-24 | Lil Cunningham | 1992–2019 | Rhyl | Carriage | 232002741 | Sold 2020. Renamed Ellen Rodger. March 2023, Workboat with Calypso Marine, Burtisland, Fife. |
| 1184 | 12-25 | Bingo Lifeline | 1992–2020 | Relief fleet | – | 232002573 | Sold 2021. See ADES Uruguay below. |
| 1185 | 12-26 | Moira Barrie | 1992–2019 | Barmouth | Carriage | 232030482 | Sold 2020. November 2023, Renamed Arwen. Ferry Boat for Western Isles Cruises, Mallaig |
| 1186 | 12-27 | Pride and Spirit | 1992–2014 2014–2016 2016–2019 |
Dungeness Clifden Relief fleet |
Carriage Afloat – |
232003202 | Sold 2021. See ADES Uruguay below. |
| 1187 | 12-28 | Mary Margaret | 1992–2004 2004–2019 2019–2022 2022–2023 |
Kilmore Quay Relief fleet Peel Relief fleet |
Afloat – Afloat – |
232002581 | Sold 2023. March 2024, Renamed Pisces, in private ownership, Yarmouth, IOW |
| 1188 | 12-29 | Eleanor and Bryant Girling | 1993–2022 2022 |
Newcastle Relief fleet |
Carriage – |
244729436 | Sold 2022. Renamed The Mersey (3-YG-894). November 2023, privately owned in Leeuwarden, Netherlands[10] |
| 1189 | 12-30 | Her Majesty The Queen | 1993–1996 1996–1999 1999 1999–2018 2018–2021 |
Relief fleet Cromer Relief fleet Lytham St Annes Relief fleet |
– Carriage – Carriage – |
232002574 | 15 November 2023, On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard[4] |
| 1190 | 12-31 | Doris Bleasdale | 1993–2019 | Clogherhead | Carriage | 232031477 | Sold 2020. December 2022, Renamed Knot on Call, Pleasure boat at Tenby, Pembrokeshire |
| 1191 | 12-32 | Joy and Charles Beeby | 1993–2023 2023–2024 2024 |
Berwick-upon-Tweed Douglas Relief fleet |
Slipway Slipway – |
– | Sold July 2024. Based in Dartmouth for use in offshore funeral services. |
| 1192 | 12-33 | Fisherman's Friend | 1993–1999 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. |
| 1194 | 12-35 | Inchcape | 1993–2024 2024 |
Arbroath | Slipway | ALB withdrawn from Arbroath, 17 March 2024.[11] Sold 2024. Reported to be based at Portland Marina. | |
| 1195 | 12-36 | Royal Thames | 1993–2012 2012–2018 2018 |
Eastbourne Leverburgh Relief fleet |
Afloat Afloat – |
– | Sold Jan 2021. Renamed Sea Searcher. October 2022, Survey Safety Vessel with deeperdorset.co.uk |
| 1196 | 12-37 | Sylvia Burrell | 1993–2018 | Girvan | Afloat | – | Sold August 2021. Renamed Ailsa Craig. April 2022, Under survey, Island Harbour Marina, IOW |
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 ON | Name | In Service [6] | Station | MMSI[7] | Comments[6] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1173 | ADES 28 Grace Darling | 2021– | Colonia del Sacramento | 232002240 | |
| 1184 | ADES 29 BROU 125 Anniversario | 2021– | Montevideo | 232002573 | |
| 1186 | ADES 30 | 2021– | Punta del Este | 232003202 |
Chile
Operated by Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile
| RNLI ON | Name | In Service [6] | Station | Comments[6] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1175 | Valparaiso IV | 2018– | Valparaiso | Images of 12-28 in Chile are here, still in near RNLI colours. |
Notes
- ^ 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. - ^ Sold 2021. Renamed Bailiwick Reliance at St Peter Port.
- ^ Sold in 2018.
Renamed The Four Boys of Pendennis. Workboat in Falmouth.
References
- ^ Wake-Walker, Edward; Deane, Heather; Purches, Georgette (1989). Lifeboat! Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Shepperton: Ian Allan. pp. 38–43. ISBN 0-7110-1835-9.
- ^ a b Denton, Tony (2009). Handbook 2009. Shrewsbury: Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 30–35.
- ^ a b Wake-Walker, Edward (2008). The Lifeboats Story. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-7509-4858-6.
- ^ a b "HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh joins RNLI for retirement of HM The Queen lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "Mersey". Lifeboats and stations. RNLI. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
- ^ a b c d "Marine Traffic".
- ^ Macnamara, Martin (27 August 2024). "After 33 years in Scotland, the Mersey-class lifeboat bows out in Anstruther". RNLI. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ Litt, Jo (7 October 2024). "Aldeburgh RNLI to bid farewell to 'Freddie Cooper' with fitting send off". RNLI. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ "Marine Traffic The Mersey". Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Macnamara, Martin (15 March 2024). "Arbroath RNLI bid farewell to the Mersey-class lifeboat after 30 years' service". RNLI. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "ADES Uruguay". Retrieved 27 November 2023.