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.

The Severn Class are currently in the process of being re-engined with MTU diesel engines which is part of a refurbishment programme to extend the operational life of the class to fifty years.

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 date	(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	Violet, Dorothy and Kathleen	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 date
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 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/are based at Irish 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

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 16/10/19

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RNLI Fleet Information

The following lifeboat classes operate from Irish lifeboat stations.

Mersey Class Lifeboats

The Mersey class lifeboat is designed primarily to operate from a carriage on a beach but can also operate off a slipway or lie afloat.

The Mersey was introduced into the RNLI fleet in 1988 and the last Mersey class lifeboat was built in 1993.

Developed by the RNLI in the early 1990s, with a maximum speed of 25 knots, propeller protection and a range of 250 nautical miles.

The Trent was introduced into the RNLI fleet in 1994 and the last Trent class lifeboat was built in 2003.

The Tamar class is one of the most modern all-weather lifeboat classes currently in service with the RNLI.

The Tamar was introduced to the RNLI fleet in 2005 and the last Tamar class lifeboat was built in 2013.

The Shannon class lifeboat harnesses cutting-edge technology to ensure that it will meet the demands of a 21st century rescue service.

The Shannon was introduced to the RNLI fleet in 2012.

The D class is an inshore lifeboat (ILB). These fast, light inflatable boats are suited to shallow water and confined locations such as close to cliffs.

The Atlantic 75 is part of the B-class of lifeboats that served the shores of the United Kingdom and Ireland as part of the RNLI inshore fleet.

Retired Lifeboat Classes

A look at some former RNLI lifeboat classes. Many going on to work with other rescue organisations across the globe.

Waveney Class Lifeboats

The Waveney class lifeboat was the first class of lifeboats operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) capable of operating at speeds in excess of 10 knots.

The Tyne class lifeboat was the first introduced in 1982 and was the RNLi's first 'fast' slipway launch lifeboat. The Tyne class can also lie afloat.

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Irish Lifeboats

The definitive guide to the Irish lifeboat service