Atlantic 21-class lifeboat
{{short description|Fleet of rigid inflatable boats used for lifesaving and coastal operations on the British Isles}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2017}}
| {{Infobox ship begin|sclass=2}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image=Falmouth irb 02.jpg |Ship caption=Falmouth Round Table (B-595) during Falmouth Lifeboat Day, August 2006. }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Name= B class (Atlantic 21) |Builders= Inshore Lifeboat Centre, Cowes |Operators=File:Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg Royal National Lifeboat Institution |Class before= {{sclass2|C|lifeboat|4}} |Class after= B class (Atlantic 75) |Subclasses= |Cost= |Built range= 1969–1994 |In service range= 1972–2007 |In commission range= |Total ships building= |Total ships planned= |Total ships completed= 96 |Total ships cancelled= |Total ships active= |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= 1 |Total ships retired= 95 |Total ships preserved= 1 }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship type=Lifeboat |Ship displacement= 1.4 tonnes |Ship length= {{convert|7.21|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship beam= {{convert|2.49|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship draught= {{convert|0.81|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship propulsion= 2 × {{convert|70|hp|lk=in|abbr=on}} 2-stroke outboard engines |Ship speed= {{convert|32|kn|lk=in}} |Ship range= |Ship endurance= 3 hours |Ship capacity= 22 |Ship complement= 3 |Ship notes= }} |
The Atlantic 21 Inshore lifeboat was the first generation rigid inflatable boat (RIB), in the B-class series of Inshore lifeboats, that were operated around the shores of the British Isles and the Channel Islands by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), between 1972 and 2008.{{cite web |title=B class Atlantic lifeboat |url=https://rnli.org/what-we-do/lifeboats-and-stations/our-lifeboat-fleet/b-class-lifeboat |publisher=RNLI |access-date=9 October 2024}}
The Inshore boat was designed at Atlantic College in South Wales, the birthplace of the RIB, after which the craft is named. The college was also one of nine locations where the RNLI first established lifeboat stations using smaller inshore watercraft. Atlantic College Lifeboat Station was operated by the RNLI between 1963 and 2013.{{cite news |last1=Gaskell |first1=Simon |title=The Welsh home of the RIB waves goodbye to its lifeboat after nearly 50 years |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/welsh-home-rib-waves-goodbye-3818255 |access-date=9 October 2024 |publisher=Wales Online |date=6 May 2013}}
The development of the Atlantic 21 resulted in the larger {{Lbc|Atlantic 75}}, with production beginning in 1993. The Atlantic 75 gradually replaced the Atlantic 21, with the majority of the ninety-six Atlantic 21 lifeboats retired from service by 2006. Just a handful remained on service into 2007 and 2008, with the last two Atlantic 21 lifeboats, at Enniskillen Lifeboat Station (Upper and Lower), both withdrawn from operational duties on 26 February 2008.{{cite web |title=Enniskillen's station history |url=https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/enniskillen-lifeboat-station/station-history-enniskillen |website=Enniskillen Lifeboat Station |publisher=RNLI |access-date=9 October 2024}}
Description
The Atlantic 21 can be launched from a davit, carriage or floating boathouse depending on the location of the station and the available facilities.
The lifeboat is a rigid inflatable boat (RIB), with the hull constructed of Fibre-reinforced plastic, subdivided into water-tight compartments, and manufactured at Halmatic Ltd. of Havant. The boats are then fitted out at the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Centre in at East Cowes, Isle of Wight. A roll-bar is fitted above the engines, which carries an inflatable air-bag for self-righting, which can be inflated by a crew-member from a gas bottle should the boat capsize.{{cite book |title=Atlantic 21 Lifeboat |date=1982 |publisher=RNLI |pages=1–4 |edition=L3/82}}
The boat carries a variety of equipment which includes two VHF radios, first aid kit and oxygen, GPS navigation system, night vision equipment, self-righting system, anchor and various warps, toolkit, towing system, illuminating and distress pyrotechnics, spotlight, torches.
Atlantic 21 Fleet
File:Atlantic 21 & Atlantic 75.jpg
File:RNLI Lifeboat Poole 1.JPG
File:Air-sea rescue exercise in Bangor Bay (4 of 8) - geograph.org.uk - 254922.jpg
File:Lower Lough Erne lifeboat - geograph.org.uk - 641023.jpg
| class="wikitable"
! Op.No.{{efn|Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.}} ! Name ! Station ! Comments |
| {{nowrap|B-500}}
| {{small|Unnamed}}{{efn|name=nn|Not every Atlantic 21-class lifeboat was given a name}} | 1970 | {{Lbs|Hartlepool}} | First Atlantic 21 (Prototype), trialled at various locations. |
| B-501
| {{small|Unnamed}} | {{nowrap|1970–1973}} | Relief fleet | |
| B-502
| {{small|Unnamed}} | 1970–1972 | Trials | |
| B-503
| {{small|Unnamed}} | 1972–1975 | {{Lbs|Hartlepool}} | |
| B-504
| Blue Peter I | 1972–1973 | {{Lbs|Littlehampton}} | |
| B-505
| Major Osman Gabriel | 1972–1975 | {{Lbs|Queensferry}} | |
| B-506
| {{small|Unnamed}} | 1972–1976 | {{Lbs|West Mersea}} | |
| B-507
| {{small|Unnamed}} | | | 1972. Built for KNRM. Named Griende. In service until 2005 |
| B-508
| {{small|Unnamed}} | 1973–1980 | {{Lbs|Atlantic College}} | |
| B-509
| {{small|Unnamed}} | 1973–1981 | {{Lbs|New Brighton}} | |
| B-510
| {{small|Unnamed}} | | | 1973. Built for KNRM. Named Tuimelaar. |
| B-511
| Co-Operative No.1 | 1973 | {{Lbs|Largs}} | |
| B-512
| U.S.Navy League | 1973–1980 | {{Lbs|Lyme Regis}} | Damaged by vandals and scrapped |
| B-513
| William McCunn and Broom Church Youth Fellowship | 1973–1980 | {{Lbs|Largs}} | |
| B-514
| {{nowrap|Guide Friendship 1}} | 1974–1983 | {{Lbs|Aberdovey}} | Now with ICE-SAR |
| B-515
| Blue Peter II | 1976–1985 | {{Lbs|Beaumaris}} | Now with ICE-SAR |
| B-516
| Whitstable Branch | 1974–1983 | {{Lbs|Whitstable}} | |
| B-517
| Blue Peter I | 1973–1974 | {{Lbs|Littlehampton}} | |
| B-518
| Sole Bay | 1973–1985 | {{Lbs|Southwold}} | Now privately owned at St Helens, Isle of Wight |
| B-519
| Surrey Forester | 1973–1986 | {{Lbs|Lymington}} | |
| B-520
| Wildenrath Whizzer | 1974–1986 | {{Lbs|Appledore}} | |
| B-521
| Mary Livingstone | 1975–1981 | {{Lbs|Queensferry}} | |
| B-522
| {{small|Unnamed}} | | | 1974. Built for KNRM. Named Dolfijn. |
| B-523
| Blue Peter I | 1974–1985 | {{Lbs|Littlehampton}} | Now named Bay Mermaid I with Cardiff Harbour Authority |
| B-524
| {{small|Unnamed}} | | | 1974. Built for KNRM |
| B-525
| {{small|Unnamed}} | 1974–1975 | Relief fleet | |
| B-526
| {{small|Unnamed}} | 1974–1978 | Relief fleet | LifeSaving Victoria, AU, VMR900 Mornington & Hastings, AU. |
| B-527
| 1976–1986 | {{Lbs|Southend-on-Sea}} | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-528
| {{small|Unnamed}} | 1975–1976 | Relief fleet | |
| B-529
| Alexander Duckham | 1976–1987 | {{Lbs|West Mersea}} | |
| B-530
| Himley Hall | 1975–1981 | Eastney | |
| B-531
| Foresters | 1975–1988 | {{nowrap|{{Lbs|Great Yarmouth and Gorleston}}}} | 2002–2011 with Poole Harbour Commission |
| B-532
| Guide Friendship III | 1976–1986 | {{Lbs|Hartlepool}} | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-533
| {{small|Unnamed}} | 1976–1988 | {{Lbs|Littlestone-on-Sea}} | |
| B-534
| {{small|Unnamed}} | | | 1975. Reported to have been sold to MOD |
| B-535
| R.A.O.B. | 1975–1976 | {{Lbs|Hartlepool}} | 1997–2010 with Ballybunion Sea & Cliff Rescue as Clara T. |
| B-536
| {{small|Unnamed}} | 1976–1989 | {{Lbs|Peel}} | |
| B-537
| {{small|Unnamed}} | 1976–1978 | Relief fleet | |
| B-538
| Lord Brotherton | 1978–1989 | {{Lbs|Staithes and Runswick}} | |
| B-539
| Lions International District 105 SE | 1978–1989 | {{Lbs|Brighton}} | |
| B-540
| Wolverhampton | 1978–1990 | {{Lbs|Abersoch}} | Now with ICE-SAR |
| B-541
| Elizabeth Bestwick | 1976–1988 | Relief fleet | |
| B-542
| William Yeo | 1976–1987 | Relief fleet | |
| B-543
| Round Table | 1978–1990 | {{Lbs|Helensburgh}} | |
| B-544
| Catherine Plumbley | 1979–1994 | {{Lbs|Minehead}} | Now with ICE-SAR |
| B-545
| Amelia Gregory Armstrong | 1980–1995 | {{Lbs|Silloth}} | |
| B-546
| Independent Forester Benevolence | 1980–1997 | {{Lbs|Lyme Regis}} | Now in Portugal |
| B-547
| Independent Forester Liberty | 1980–1998 | {{Lbs|Largs}} | Now named Káraborg (BB 7482) with ICE-SAR |
| B-548
| Aldershot | 1980–1994 |{{Lbs|Hayling Island}} |1998–? ?–2015 2015–2016 2016–... Finnish Lifeboat Society Unknown Private owner Muhu Maritime Rescue Society Now with Muhu Maritime Rescue Society (Muhu, Saaremaa, Estonia) |
| B-549
| Blenwatch | 1981–1996 | {{Lbs|New Brighton}} | Now with ICE-SAR |
| B-550
| "City of Portsmouth" | 1981–1996 | {{Lbs|Portsmouth}} | 1998 - Sold to Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-551
| Constance Macnay | 1981–1997 | {{Lbs|Queensferry}} | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-552
| {{small|Unnamed}} | | | 1981. Built for KNRM. Named Bruinvis, at Ter Heyde, In service until 2006 |
| B-553
| Kirklees | 1982–1998 | {{Lbs|Newbiggin}} | 2000–2013 named Dove with Sandown & Shanklin Inshore Lifeboat |
| B-554
| American Ambassador | 1982–2000 | {{Lbs|Atlantic College}} | Now in Australia |
| B-555
| Long Life I | 1982–1985 | Relief fleet | |
| B-556
| Spirit of America | 1982–1998 | {{lbs|Hunstanton}} | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-557
| Weston Centenary | 1983–2001 | {{Lbs|Weston-super-Mare}} | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-558
| Ramsgate Enterprise | 1984–2000 | {{Lbs|Ramsgate}} | 2002–2007 named St. Brendan with Bantry Inshore Search & Rescue |
| B-559
| Long Life 3 | 1984–1999 | {{Lbs|Aberdovey}} | Now named Spirit of Tortola at British Virgin Islands |
| B-560
| British Diver | 1983–2000 | {{Lbs|Whitstable}} | |
| B-561
| Marjorie Turner | 1984–2002 | {{Lbs|Youghal}} | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-562
| The Quiver | 1985–1998 | {{Lbs|Southwold}} | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-563
| Blue Peter II | 1985–2000 | {{Lbs|Beaumaris}} | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-564
| Blue Peter I | 1985–2001 | {{Lbs|Littlehampton}} | |
| B-565
| Manchester and District XXXII | 1986–1997 | {{Lbs|Appledore}} | |
| B-566
| Frank and Mary Atkinson | 1986–2002 | {{Lbs|Lymington}} | Now named Willemtje with KNRM |
| B-567
| Percy Garon II | 1986–2001 | {{Lbs|Southend-on-Sea}} | Sold to Chile |
| B-568
| Burton Brewer | 1986–2000 | {{Lbs|Hartlepool}} | Now with Dorset Police (P-002) |
| B-569
| Blue Peter V | 1986–1994 | {{Lbs|Portaferry}} | |
| B-570
| Himley Hall | 1987–2001 | {{Lbs|West Mersea}} | |
| B-571
| British Diver II | 1987–2002 | {{Lbs|Harwich}} | VMR Mornington, Australia, 2008 - 2016 - Operated by LifeSaving Victoria (Melbourne, Australia) |
| B-572
| Dorothy and Kathrine Barr | 1988–2001 | {{Lbs|St Abbs}} | Now with Chilean Lifeboats |
| B-573
| The Lady Dart and Long Life II | 1988–2001 | {{Lbs|Littlestone-on-Sea}} | Now with Chilean Lifeboats |
| B-574
| Joseph B. Press | 1988–2002 | {{Lbs|Great Yarmouth and Gorleston}} | |
| B-575
| John Batstone | 1989–1992 | {{Lbs|Peel}} | |
| B-576
| Ellis Sinclair | 1989–2002 | {{Lbs|Staithes and Runswick}} | |
| B-577
| Graham Hillier and Tony Cater | 1989–1997 | {{Lbs|Brighton}} | 1999–2004 named Sidmouth Herald with Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat |
| B-578
| The Rotary Club of Glasgow | 1989–2006 | {{Lbs|Macduff}} | Sold to Dorset Police (P-001). |
| B-579
| Institute of London Underwriters | 1989–1997 | {{Lbs|Clacton-on-Sea}} | |
| B-580
| Leicester Challenge | 1990–2001 | {{Lbs|Redcar}} | |
| B-581
| Andrew Mason | 1990–2002 | {{Lbs|Helensburgh}} | |
| B-582
| Borough of Solihull | 1990–2002 | {{Lbs|Abersoch}} | 2008–2011 with Dorset Police (P-003) |
| B-583
| Ken Derham | 1990–2006 | {{Lbs|Mudeford}} | 2021 Purchased by Safetyboat Services Ltd for use as a safety / rescue boat |
| B-584
| Youth of Ulster | 1991–2006 | {{Lbs|Bangor}} | |
| B-585
| Peter and Grace Ewing | 1991–2006 | {{Lbs|Kirkcudbright}} | |
| B-586
| Clothworker | 1991–1998 | Relief fleet | |
| B-587
| Jessie Eliza | 1991–2000 | {{Lbs|St Catherine}} | |
| B-588
| Frank and Dorothy | 1991–2006 | {{Lbs|Teignmouth}} | |
| B-589
| James Burgess | 1992–2006 | {{Lbs|Walmer}} | 2009 - Sold to Gardline |
| B-590
| Wolverson X-Ray | 1992–1993 | Relief fleet | Now named The Dove II with Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat |
| B-591
| Edmund and Joan White | 1992–2006 | {{Lbs|Cullercoats}} | Now with ICE-SAR in Eskifjordur |
| B-592
| Ernest Armstrong | 1992–1998 | Relief fleet | |
| B-593
| Valerie Hull | 1993–2006 | {{Lbs|Kilkeel}} | 2010–2013 with Oban Sea Cadets |
| B-594
| Herbert and Edith | 1993–2006 | {{Lbs|Port Erin}} | |
| B-595
| Falmouth Round Table | 1994–2007 | {{Lbs|Falmouth}} | Now with KNRM |
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Atlantic 21 class lifeboats}}
- [http://rnli.org/aboutus/lifeboatsandstations/lifeboats/Pages/The-fleet.aspx RNLI FLeet]
- [http://www.lifeboatsonline.com/RNLI_Atlantic21Prod.html Lifeboatsonline.com (Atlantic 21)]
- Atlantic College Lifeboat Station
- [https://vimeo.com/242455495 RIB History (2017 video) at UWC Atlantic College]
{{RNLI lifeboat classes}}