Irish Lifeboats

 Arun Class Facts and Figures

The Arun class lifeboats were the second largest lifeboat in the RNLI all-weather fleet. They take their name from the River Arun in Sussex.

The first three were built of wood, one other was built of steel, the remainder were built of fibreglass.

The first Arun class entered service in 1971 the final Arun was built in 1990. A total of 46 Arun class lifeboats were built for the RNLI.

When production of the Severn class began the writing was on the wall for the Arun class, the final examples were withdrawn from service in 2008.

Most of the Arun class have been sold for service with other lifesaving services around the world. Arun class lifeboat can now be found in Iceland, China, Finland, Chile and Australia.

Former Portrush lifeboat (1981-2000) Arun class “Richard Evans (Civil Service no 39)”.

Photo : Aubrey Dale

 Waveney Class Facts and Figures

The 44ft Waveney class lifeboat was the first fast lifeboat to see service with the RNLI. The Waveney class designed by the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1964 the RNLI acquired the USCG 44328 from the U.S. Coast Guard and went on to build 21 of the type.

The Waveney class was a familar sight around the Irish coast the final examples were withdrawn in the late 90's.

Many Waveney class lifeboats went on to see further service in New Zealand and Australia.

For further information of the 44ft Waveney class Irish Lifeboats highly recommed the             44ft Motor Lifeboats website.

Larne’s first all-weather lifeboat was this 44 foot Waveney-class boat the “William and Jane” on station 1996-98. After withdrawal she was sold for further service with the Volunteer Coastguard in New Zealand. Photo : Aubrey Dale

Solent Class facts and Figures

The Solent class were a self-righting all weather lifeboat. The Solent had an all-welded steel hull, fitted with an iron ballast keel weighing over four tons, and aluminium alloy upperworks.

The Solent was self-righting by virtue of its large watertight wheelhouse. A double bottom was formed below the engine room and this the forepeak, the void under the after cabin and the wing compartments were all filled withrigid polyurethane foam to increase buoyancy.

The hull was divided by four main watertight bulkheads and twenty-five watertight compartments.

Power was provided by twin 110hp Gardner diesel engines. The twin fuel tanks each had a capacity for 120 gallons. Twin spade rudders, coupled to Mathway manual steering gear gave better manoeuvrability than earlier lifeboat classes.

The final Solent class lifeboats were withdrawn in the early 90's. Some were sold for further service as lifeboats to the Coastal Volunteer Rescue in Australia. 

Solent-class lifeboat "R.Hope Roberts"