Shannon class lifeboat
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | SAR Composites[1] |
| Operators: |  Royal National Lifeboat Institution |
| Preceded by: | Mersey class lifeboat |
| Cost: | £1.5m |
| In service: | from approx. 2013 |
| Building: | 1 (prototype lifeboat ON1308) |
| Completed: | 1 (experimental lifeboat ON1285) |
| General characteristics (1st Experimental boat, Camarc hull) | |
| Displacement: | 14.6 long tons (15 t) |
| Length: | 13.6 m (44 ft 7 in) |
| Beam: | 4.54 m (14 ft 11 in) |
| Draught: | 0.75 m (2 ft 6 in) |
| Propulsion: | 2 × Caterpillar C9 engines, 510 hp (380 kW) 2 × Hamilton HJ 362 Waterjets |
| Speed: | 27 knots (31 mph; 50 km/h) |
| Range: | 250 nmi (460 km) |
| Complement: | 5 |
| General characteristics (Prototype, RNLI hull) | |
| Displacement: | 17 long tons (17 t) |
| Length: | 13.6 m (44 ft 7 in) |
| Beam: | 4.54 m (14 ft 11 in) |
| Draught: | 0.75 m (2 ft 6 in) |
| Propulsion: | 2 × Scania DI13M, 650 hp (485 kW) 2 × Hamilton HJ 364 Waterjets |
| Speed: | 27 knots (31 mph; 50 km/h) |
| Range: | 250 nmi (460 km) |
| Complement: | 5 |
The Shannon Class Lifeboat[2] (previously FCB2 - Fast Carriage Boat 2) will serve the shores of the British Isles as a part of the RNLI fleet. The Shannon class is intended to replace the Mersey class carriage-launched lifeboat.
The Experimental boat, named Effseabee Too underwent sea trials during 2005–2008. It is based on a Camarc Pilot vessel design, with a Fibre Reinforced composite hull, powered by twin water jets. It currently has a top speed of approximately 30 knots (56 km/h), but will be rated down to 25–27 knots when the final design is put into production. In 2008 the 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 at least three more years to research a new hull shape.
The Shannon class will use similar SIMS technology to that of the Tamar class lifeboat.[3] In April 2009 it was announced a new hull had been chosen. The Shannon class prototype boat currently under construction as of August 2011 will began sea trials in early 2012, with the first operational lifeboat expected to be on station in mid-2013.[4]
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.[2]
[edit] External links
- RNLI Fleet
- FCB2 Class Named
- Green Marine - Builders
[edit] References
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