Severn Class Lifeboats
Developed in the early 1990s, the Severn class was introduced into the fleet in 1995 and is designed to lie afloat, either at deep-water moorings or at a berth. The severn class is currently the largest in the RNLI fleet.
The Severn has a sheerline that sweeps down for ease of survivor recovery. She is inherently self-righting and should it be knocked over in extreme weather, it will automatically right itself within a few seconds.
Her propellers and rudders lie in partial tunnels set into the hull that, along with the two bilge keels, provide excellent protection from damage in shallow water.
In addition to her twin engines, the Severn is fitted with a hydraulic-powered bow thruster for improved manoeuvrability.
The Severn carries a small Y boat, which is an inflatable daughter boat complete with a 15hp outboard engine. This small craft can be launched with a crane and is used in moderate conditions to access areas where the lifeboat cannot reach.
Severn Class Facts
Introduced: 1995 (Last built 2004)
Length: 17.3m
Width: 5.9m
Load: 42 tonnes
Launch Type: Afloat
Fuel Capacity: 5,600 litres
Crew: 7
Range: 250 nautical miles
Max Speed: 25 Knots
Engines: 2 x Caterpillar 3412 TA marine diesel; 1,250hp each at 2,300hp or 2 x MTU M94 Diesel Engine 1,600hp each at 2450rpm
O.N. | Op. No. | Name | Year Built | Service History | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1179 | 17-01 | Maurice and Joyce Hardy (1992–1995) Peter and Marion Fulton (1998–2004) | 1991 | Trials 1991 to 1998 Training 1998 to 2004 | (1) |
1201 | 17-02 | The Will | 1995 | Relief 1996 to 1997 Falmouth 1997 to 2001 Relief 2001 to 2019 | (2) |
1202 | 17-03 | Albert Brown | 1995 | Harwich 1996 to date | |
1203 | 17-04 | Spirit of Guernsey | 1996 | St Peter Port 1997 to date | |
1216 | 17-05 | Pride of Humber | 1996 | Humber 1997 to date | |
1217 | 17-06 | David Kirkaldy | 1996 | Aran Islands 06/06/97 to date | |
1218 | 17-07 | John and Margaret Doig | 1996 | Valentia 29/11/96 to date | |
1219 | 17-08 | Helmut Schroeder of Dunlossit II | 1996 | Islay 1997 to date | |
1220 | 17-09 | City of London II | 1996 | Dover 1997 to date | |
1221 | 17-10 | Michael and Jane Vernon | 1997 | Lerwick 1997 to date | |
1229 | 17-11 | The Whiteheads | 1997 | St Marys 1997 to date | |
1230 | 17-12 | Edna Windsor | 1998 | Barra Island 1998 to date | |
1231 | 17-13 | Margaret Forster | 1998 | Kirkwall 1998 to date | |
1232 | 17-14 | Charles Lidbury | 1998 | Aith 1998 to date | |
1235 | 17-15 | Bryan and Gordon | 1998 | Ballyglass 14/08/98 to date | |
1236 | 17-16 | Spirit of Derbyshire | 1998 | Stormness 1998 to date | |
1237 | 17-17 | Fraser Flyer (Civil Service No. 43) | 1999 | Relief 1999 to date | |
1238 | 17-18 | Tom Sanderson | 1999 | Stornoway 1999 to date | |
1241 | 17-19 | Ernest and Mary Shaw | 1999 | Campbeltown 1999 to date | |
1242 | 17-20 | Spirit of Northumberland | 1999 | Tynemouth 1999 to 2021 | (4) |
1243 | 17-21 | David and Elizabeth Acland | 1999 | Newhaven 1999 to date | |
1244 | 17-22 | Myrte Maud | 1999 | Arranmore 22/01/00 to date | |
1247 | 17-23 | Katie Hannon | 2000 | Portrush 15/06/00 to ??/01/08 | (3) |
1248 | 17-24 | Bon Accord | 2000 | Aberdeen 2000 to date | |
1249 | 17-25 | Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer) | 2000 | Yarmouth 2001 to date | |
1250 | 17-26 | Henry Alston Hewat | 2000 | Mallaig 2001 to date | |
1254 | 17-27 | Volunteer Spirit | 2001 | Relief 2001 to date | |
1255 | 17-28 | Alec and Christina Dykes | 2001 | Torbay 2001 to date | |
1256 | 17-29 | Richard Cox Scott | 2001 | Falmouth 2001 to date | |
1257 | 17-30 | William Gordon Burr | 2001 | Relief 2002 to 2008 Portrush 04/04/08 to date | |
1260 | 17-31 | Roger and Joy Freeman | 2002 | Relief 2002 to date | |
1261 | 17-32 | Ernest and Mable | 2002 | Weymouth 2002 to date | |
1262 | 17-33 | Beth Sell | 2002 | Relief 2002 to date | |
1263 | 17-34 | Osier | 2002 | Relief 2002 to 2021 Tynemouth 2021 to date | |
1264 | 17-35 | Sybil Mullen Glover | 2003 | Plymouth 2003 to date | |
1265 | 17-36 | Ivan Ellen | 2003 | Penlee 2003 to date | |
1268 | 17-37 | William Blannin | 2003 | Buckie 2003 to date | |
1269 | 17-38 | Daniel L Gibson | 2003 | Relief 2003 to date | |
1270 | 17-39 | Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsay | 2003 | Tobermory 2003 to date | |
1271 | 17-40 | Julian and Margaret Leonard | 2003 | Lochinver 2003 to date | |
1272 | 17-41 | Christopher Pearce | 2003 | Holyhead 2003 to date | |
1273 | 17-42 | The Taylors | 2004 | Thurso 2004 to date | |
1276 | 17-43 | Donald & Barbara Broadhead | 2004 | Rosslare Harbour 09/07/04 to date | |
1277 | 17-44 | Annette Hutton | 2004 | Castletownbere 12/08/04 to date | |
1278 | 17-45 | The Duke of Kent | 2005 | Relief 2005 to date | |
1279 | 17-46 | Margaret, Joan and Fred Nye | 2004 | Relief 2004 to date |
Lifeboats highlighted in GREEN were based at Irish Lifeboat stations.
Notes
(1) Prototype Severn class. Sold for use as a work boat in 2005
(2) First Severn class to receive mid-life upgrade work (July 2019)
(3) Damaged beyond economic repair after grounding on Ratlin Island
(4) Withdrawn from service. To be refurbished as part of the Severn Life Extension Programme (SLEP)
O.N. is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat
Op.No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull
Last Updated 30/09/22
Severn Life Extension Programme (SLEP)
Severn Life Extension Programme (SLEP)
The largest and most powerful class of lifeboat, the Severn entered service back in 1996 and there are currently 44 of these 42 tonne lifesaving vessels in the charity’s fleet. With an operational lifespan of 25 years, these amazing lifeboats are now approaching retirement age and are due to come off service soon.
However, the charity’s expert in-house engineering team has worked in partnership with academic and industry experts, establishing that the lifeboats’ hulls can continue operational service for another 25 years. Through a life extension upgrade, the Severn’s wheelhouse will be completely redesigned and a wide range of upgrades will be made, ensuring the vessels can operate safely and effectively for another 25 years.
As well as fitting the lifeboats out with more modern and sophisticated technology and systems, the upgraded Severns will have significant safety enhancements to ensure the RNLI’s volunteer crews are as safe as possible while out saving lives at sea in all weathers.
Nick Fenwick is Project Manager for the RNLI’s Severn life extension programme. He said: ‘From shock-mitigating seats for the crew, to new survivor space seating for casualties and a new daughter craft that can be launched quickly for rescuing casualties in shallow waters or close to rocks, the life extension upgrades will ensure our Severn class lifeboats are ready to save lives at sea for another 25 years.
‘The upgrades will bring the technology and systems onboard the Severn class lifeboats right up to date. A key upgrade will be the installation of the Systems and Information Management System, also known as SIMS.
‘Similar to the SIMS systems in our Tamar and Shannon class lifeboats, it is an electronic integrated bridge system that allows the crew to monitor, operate and control many of the lifeboat’s functions directly from their seats. These functions include the navigation and the mechanics of the lifeboat, such as the engines, bilge and electrics. This greatly increases our crews’ safety, reducing the need for them to walk around the lifeboat in the rough and challenging sea conditions they so often face.’
An allocation of six Severn class lifeboats will be upgraded initially, with the upgrades taking place at the RNLI’s All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset. Work is already underway on the first vessel to receive its life extension upgrade, with a relief fleet Severn being worked on now with the aim of undertaking sea trials at the end of the year.
The first five lifeboat stations due to receive a life extended Severn are Aberdeen, Kirkwall and Lerwick in Scotland, Tynemouth in the north east of England and Ballyglass in the Republic of Ireland. Aberdeen Lifeboat Station are due to receive the first upgraded Severn at the end of 2021.
The average anticipated cost of each life extension upgrade is £1.25M. This is significantly less than the cost of designing and building a brand-new class of lifeboat to replace the Severn. For context, a Shannon, which is significantly smaller and not as powerful as the Severn, costs £2.2M to build.
Since entering service back in 1996, Severn class lifeboats have launched over 16,500 times, going to the aid of over 22,500 people and saving over 900 lives.
Angus Watson, Engineering and Supply Director, said: ‘I am so excited to announce our plans to extend the operational life of our Severn class lifeboats.
‘Our Severns are often located in the more remote locations across the UK and Ireland, where the crews are often required to sail out longer distances in the most challenging sea conditions. Being the largest class of lifeboat, it is well-suited for locations where mass casualty rescues are more likely, and its highly elevated upper steering position and greater length are ideal when negotiating large waves in the roughest seas.
‘While the systems and technology on board the Severn class need upgrading, the lifeboat’s hull and structure is still ideally suited to the challenging conditions these lifeboats face today. So rather than spending significantly more money to roll out a brand new class of all-weather lifeboat, supplying stations with upgraded Severn class lifeboats that we know can meet the demands of these challenging stretches of coastline is a much more efficient use of charitable funds, while still ensuring that our volunteer crews have lifeboats absolutely fit for purpose for the next 25 years.’
O.N. | Op. No. | Year Rebuilt | Ex Op. No. | Name | Service History | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1201 | 17-51 | 2021 | 17-02 | "Ettrick Shepherd" Hogg Hardie | SLEP 2019 - | |
17-52 |
O.N. is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat
Op.No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull
Ex Op.No. is the former Operational Number carried on the hull before the Severn Life Extension Programme (SLEP)