Atlantic 85-class lifeboat
{{Short description|Fleet of rigid inflatable boats used for lifesaving and costal operations on the British Isles}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox ship begin|sclass=2}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image= File:Bangor lifeboat - geograph.org.uk - 538605.jpg |Ship image size= 300px |Ship caption= Atlantic 85 B-805 on exercise in Bangor }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Name= Atlantic 85 |Builders= Inshore Lifeboat Centre, Cowes |Operators= File:Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg Royal National Lifeboat Institution |Class before= Atlantic 75 |Class after= |Subclasses= |Cost= £140,000 to £180,000 |Built range= |In service range= 2005– |In commission range= 2006– |Total ships building= |Total ships planned= |Total ships completed= 144 |Total ships cancelled= |Total ships active= |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= |Total ships retired= |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship class= B-class Atlantic 85 |Ship displacement= 1.8 tonnes |Ship length= {{convert|8.44|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship beam= {{convert|2.85|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship draught= {{convert|0.53|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship propulsion=*2 × Yamaha 4-stroke outboard engines, {{convert|115|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
|Ship speed= {{convert|35|kn|mph km/h|lk=in}} |Ship range= |Ship endurance= 2.5 hours |Ship capacity= 24 |Ship complement= 4 |Ship notes= }} |
The Atlantic 85 is the third generation rigid inflatable boat (RIB), in the B-class series of Inshore lifeboats, operated around the shores of the British Isles and the Channel Islands by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Developed from the {{Lbb|Atlantic 21}} and the later {{Lbb|Atlantic 75}}, it was first placed on service in 2005, and has gradually now replaced the older {{Lbc|Atlantic 75}}. The Atlantic design of the B-class of lifeboats is named after Atlantic College, where the design was originally developed.{{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=10 October 2024}}
Design
The hull is constructed in a fibre reinforced composite, consisting of a carbon fibre and foam core laminate with an epoxy glass and foam sandwich layup. The tubes are Hypalon.
The boat is powered by twin {{convert|115|hp|abbr=on|lk=on}} Yamaha 4-stroke outboard engines that have been inversion-proofed to ensure the engines are still operational after a capsize.
Like previous RIBs, it has a manually operated self-righting mechanism that deploys an airbag mounted atop the A-frame. It is capable of being beached in an emergency without sustaining damage to engines or steering gear. The Atlantic 85 is fitted with radar and VHF direction finding equipment and can be operated safely in daylight in a force 6/7 and at night in a force 5/6.{{cite web|title=Atlantic 85 Details|url=http://www.rnli.org.uk/what_we_do/lifeboats/current_lifeboats/lifeboat_detail?articleid=44208|publisher=RNLI|access-date=24 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101090740/http://www.rnli.org.uk/what_we_do/lifeboats/current_lifeboats/lifeboat_detail?articleid=44208|archive-date=1 January 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
The Atlantic 85 also has intercom communications between the crew and VHF radio via their helmets. The lifeboat is also equipped with the RNLI's SIMS (ship information & management system) which provides the crew with combined chartplotter and AIS, radar and VHF directional finding capability. It also carries searchlights, handheld night-vision equipment and illuminating paraflares for night-time operations, as well as casualty care equipment.
To ensure equipment is kept to a high standard of repair, boats go through annual or bi-annual overhauls, and 4-year refits.{{cite web|title=Inshore Lifeboat Centre - Repairs and overhauls|url=http://rnli.org/aboutus/lifeboatsandstations/Pages/Inshore-Lifeboat-Centre.aspx|website=RNLI.org|publisher=RNLI|access-date=14 April 2015}}
All of the following fleet details are referenced to the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society Handbook, published annually, with information retrieved directly from RNLI records.{{cite book |last1=Leonard |first1=Richie |last2=Denton |first2=Tony |title=Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025 |date=2025 |publisher=Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society |pages=83-86}}
Gallery
File:Atlantic 85 controls (B805).jpg|A close up of the console & controls of Atlantic 85 B-805
File:Jesse Hilliard - B805.jpg|Atlantic 85 B-805 launching in Bangor in 2008
File:ILBs off Blue Anchor.jpg|Atlantic 85 B-824 with an Atlantic 75 & a D class in 2010
File:Porthcawl Atlantic 85 hard left - B832.jpg|Atlantic 85 B-832 in Porthcawl in 2011
File:Porthcawl Atlantic 85 - B832.jpg|Atlantic 85 B-832 in Porthcawl in 2011
File:RNLI B class Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Poole, England arp.jpg|Atlantic 85 (B-826) at Poole in 2017
RNLI Atlantic-85 fleet
= B-800 – B-899 =
class="wikitable"
! {{nowrap|Op. No.}}{{efn|name=Op|Op. No. is the RNLI's operational number of the boat}} ! Name ! Station ! Comments |
B-800 {{nowrap|B-PO2}} | {{small|Unnamed}} | | | Prototype Atlantic 85 |
B-801
| The Drayton Manor | {{nowrap|2004–2006}} | Trials | |
B-802
| Chelsea Flower Show | 2006–2015 | Relief fleet | |
B-803
| William Hurst | 2006–2019 | Relief fleet | |
B-804
| Lydia Macdonald | 2006–2022 | {{Lbs|Macduff}} | Sold 2024 to Freshwater Independent Lifeboat |
B-805
| Jessie Hillyard | 2006–2024 | {{Lbs|Bangor}} | |
B-806
| Mudeford Servant | 2006–2024 | {{Lbs|Mudeford}} | |
B-807
| Mary Lewis | 2006–2017 | Relief fleet | |
B-808
| Donald McLauchlan | 2006–2025 | {{Lbs|Walmer}} | |
B-809
| The Two Annes | 2006–2024 | {{Lbs|Teignmouth}} | |
B-810
| Tabbycat | 2006–2008 | Relief fleet | |
B-811
| Hylton Burdon | 2007–2022 | {{Lbs|Cullercoats}} | |
B-812
| Frank William Walton | 2006– | {{Lbs|Kilkeel}} | |
B-813
| Muriel and Leslie | 2006–2025 | {{Lbs|Port Erin}} | |
B-814
| Sheila Stenhouse | 2006–2008 | {{Lbs|Kirkcudbright}} | |
B-815
| {{nowrap|Peterborough Beer Festival III}} | 2006–2021 | Relief fleet | |
B-816
| David Page | 2007–2022 | {{Lbs|St Helier}} | |
B-817
| Wolseley | 2007–2024 | {{Lbs|Sunderland}} |Sold 2024, to Iceland ICE-SAR |
B-818
| The Oddfellows | 2007– | {{Lbs|Sheringham}} | |
B-819
| Minnie and Ernest George Barry | 2007– | {{Lbs|Lough Swilly}} | |
B-820
| Elizabeth Jane Palmer | 2007– | {{Lbs|Flamborough}} | |
B-821
| Gladys Mildred | 2007–2023 | {{lbs|Newquay}} | |
B-822
| Spirit of Friendship | 2007––2023 | {{Lbs|Aberystwyth}} | Sold 2024, to Iceland ICE-SAR |
B-823
| Doris Joan | 2007–2023 | Sold 2024, to Hornsea Rescue |
B-824
| Richard and Elizabeth Deaves | 2007–2023 | {{Lbs|Minehead}} | Donated 2025, to Royal Montserrat Police Service |
B-825
| Norma Ethel Vinall | 2008–2020 | Relief fleet | |
B-826
| Sgt. Bob Martin | 2008– | {{Lbs|Poole}} | |
B-827
| Olive Laura Deare II | 2008– | {{Lbs|Gravesend}} | |
B-828
| Elaine and Don Wilkinson | 2008– | {{Lbs|Silloth}} | |
B-829
| Derrick Battle | 2009– | {{Lbs|Hayling Island}} | |
B-830
| Douglas Murray | 2008–2021 | Relief fleet | |
B-831
| Joy Morris MBE | 2009– | {{Lbs|St Bees}} | |
B-832
| Rose of The Shires | 2009– | {{Lbs|Porthcawl}} | |
B-833
| Blue Peter V | 2009– | {{Lbs|Portaferry}} | |
B-834
| William Henry Liddington | 2009– | {{Lbs|Bundoran}} | |
B-835
| Martin Harvey | 2009–2024 | Relief fleet | |
B-836
| Tommy Niven | 2009– | {{Lbs|Kinghorn}} | |
B-837
| 2009– | New Brighton | |
B-838
| Annette Mary Liddington | 2010– | {{Lbs|Beaumaris}} | |
B-839
| Maureen Lillian | 2010– | {{Lbs|Penarth}} | |
B-840
| Harold Bains | 2010–2022 | Training fleet | |
B-841
| Eric W Wilson | 2010– | {{Lbs|St Catherine}} | |
B-842
| Hello Herbie | 2010–2015 | {{Lbs|Rye Harbour}} | |
B-843
| Geoffrey Charles | 2010– | {{Lbs|Red Bay}} | |
B-844
| Edith Louise Eastwick | 2010– | {{Lbs|Kilrush}} | |
B-845
| James Dugdale | 2010–2015 | Relief fleet | |
B-846
| Norma T | 2010– | {{Lbs|Portsmouth}} | |
B-847
| Hereford Endeavour | 2010– | {{Lbs|Trearddur Bay}} | |
B-848
| Spirit of West Norfolk | 2011– | {{Lbs|Hunstanton}} | |
B-849
| Tony and Robert Britt | 2011– | {{Lbs|Burnham-on-Crouch}} | |
B-850
| Edna May | 2011– | Relief fleet | |
B-851
| Jimmie Cairncross | 2012– | {{Lbs|Queensferry}} | |
B-852
| Random Harvest | 2011– | {{Lbs|Brighton}} | |
B-853
| Binny | 2011– | {{Lbs|Galway}} | |
B-854
| R.A.Wilson | 2011– | {{Lbs|Largs}} | |
B-855
| Eric C Guest | 2011–2016 | Relief fleet | |
B-856
| Spirit of Fred. Olsen | 2011– | {{Lbs|Kyle of Lochalsh}} | |
B-857
| Spirit of Loch Fyne | 2012– | {{Lbs|Lyme Regis}} | |
B-858
| Leicester Challenge III | 2012– | {{Lbs|Redcar}} | |
B-859
| Sheena Louise | 2012– | {{Lbs|Cowes}} | |
B-860
| Max Walls | 2012– | {{Lbs|Calshot}} | |
B-861
| Glanely | 2012– | {{Lbs|Appledore}} | |
B-862
| James and Helen Mason | 2012– | {{Lbs|Tighnabruaich}} | |
B-863
| David Porter MPS | 2012–2025 | {{Lbs|Clacton-on-Sea}} | |
B-864
| Richard Wake Burdon | 2012– | {{Lbs|Newbiggin}} | |
B-865
| Malcolm and Mona Bennett-Williams | 2012–2022 | Relief fleet | |
B-866
| Louis Simson | 2013– | {{Lbs|Skerries}} | |
B-867
| William and Eleanor | 2013– | {{Lbs|Blackpool}} | |
B-868
| Annie Tranmer | 2013– | {{Lbs|Southwold}} | |
B-869
| Joyce King | 2013– | {{Lbs|Clifden}} | |
B-870
| John and Louisa Fisher | 2013–2021 | Relief fleet | |
B-871
| Albatross | 2013– | {{Lbs|Cardigan}} | |
B-872
| Toby Rundle | 2014– | {{Lbs|Clovelly}} | |
B-873
| Robert and Isobel Mowat | 2014– | {{Lbs|Kessock}} | |
B-874
| Robert Armstrong | 2014– | {{Lbs|Helvick Head}} | |
B-875
| Alexander | 2014–2015 | Relief fleet | |
B-876
| Rachael Hedderwick | 2014– | |
B-877
| Lewisco | 2014– | {{Lbs|Whitstable}} | |
B-878
| Claire and David Delves | 2014– | {{Lbs|Ramsgate}} | |
B-879
| Just George | 2014– | {{Lbs|West Mersea}} | |
B-880
| Martin Frederick Whitehouse | 2014– | Relief fleet | |
B-881
| Solihull | 2015– | {{Lbs|Hartlepool}} | |
B-882
| David Bradley | 2015– | {{Lbs|Lymington}} | |
B-883
| Roy Snewin | 2015– | Relief fleet | |
B-884
| My Lady Anne | 2015– | {{Lbs|Portishead}} | |
B-885
| Julia & Angus Wright | 2016– | {{Lbs|Southend-on-Sea}} | |
B-886
| Peter and Ann Setten | 2015– | {{Lbs|Abersoch}} | |
B-887
| Jacqueline Saville | 2015– | {{Lbs|Mablethorpe}} | |
B-888
| Sheila & Dennis Tongue | 2015– | {{Lbs|Sligo Bay}} | |
B-889
| Elizabeth and Maraget Milligan | 2015–2019 | Relief fleet | |
B-890
| Gordon and Phil | 2016– | {{Lbs|Youghal}} | |
B-891
| Renée Sherman | 2016– | {{Lbs|Littlehampton}} | |
B-892
| John and Janet | 2016– | {{Lbs|Crosshaven}} | |
B-893
| Mollie and Ivor Dent | 2016– | {{Lbs|Penlee}} | |
B-894
| Sheila & Dennis Tongue II | 2016– | {{Lbs|Looe}} | |
B-895
| Irene Cornford | 2016– | Relief fleet | |
B-896
| Hugh Miles | 2016– | {{Lbs|Aberdovey}} | |
B-897
| Sheila & Dennis Tongue III | 2016– | {{Lbs|Staithes and Runswick}} | |
B-898
| Susan Margaret Forsbrey | 2017– | Relief fleet | |
B-899
|Howard Bell | 2017–2023 | {{Lbs|Happisburgh}} | https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2025/february/03/aldeburgh-rnli-atlantic-85-lifeboat-delivered |
= B-900 – B-999 =
class="wikitable"
! {{nowrap|Op. No.}}{{efn|name=Op}} ! Name ! Principal station ! Comments |
{{nowrap|B-900}}
|Hello Herbie II | 2017– | {{Lbs|Rye Harbour}} | |
B-901
|Enid Foster MBE | 2017– | Relief fleet | |
B-902
|Sheila & Dennis Tongue IV | 2018– | {{Lbs|Loch Ness}} | |
B-903
|Angus and Muriel Mackay | 2017– | {{Lbs|Helensburgh}} | |
B-904
|Douglas, Euan and Kay Richards | 2017– | {{Lbs|Carrybridge}} | |
B-905
| Gladys Hilda Mustoe | 2018– | {{Lbs|Salcombe}} | |
B-906
| Charles Lucock | 2018– | Relief Fleet | |
B-907
| Tierney Harvey & Sonny Reid | 2018– | {{Lbs|Harwich}} | |
B-908
| Annabel E. Jones | 2018– | {{Lbs|Plymouth}} | |
B-909
| {{nowrap|Miss Sally Anne (Baggy) II}} | 2018– | {{Lbs|Kinsale}} |
B-910
| Rita Daphne Smyth | 2018– | {{Lbs|Baltimore}} | |
B-911
| Jean Spier | 2019– | {{Lbs|Lough Derg}} | |
B-912
| John and Jean Lewis | 2018– | {{Lbs|Enniskillen}} | |
B-913
| Pride of Fred. Olsen | 2019 | Relief Fleet |
B-914
| Doris Day and Brian | 2019– | {{Lbs|Burnham-on-Sea}} | |
B-915
| The Missus Barrie | 2019– | {{Lbs|Burry Port}} | |
B-916
| Robina Nixon Chard | 2019– | {{Lbs|Falmouth}} | |
B-917
| Jack & Phyl Cleare | 2021– | {{Lbs|Weymouth}} | |
B-918
| Ted Dawber | 2019– | Relief Fleet | |
B-919
| Jamie Hunter | 2019– | {{Lbs|Stonehaven}} | |
B-920
| Tara Scougall | 2019– | {{Lbs|Lough Ree}} | |
B-921
| Vivacious Atlantic | 2019– | Relief Fleet | |
B-922
| Jean McIvor | 2020– | {{Lbs|Littlestone-on-Sea}} | |
B-923
| Patricia Southall | 2021– | {{Lbs|Blyth}} | |
B-924
| Christine and Raymond Fielding | 2021– | {{Lbs|Union Hall}} | |
B-925
| John Rowntree | 2021– | |
B-926
| Julie Poole | 2021– | Relief fleet | |
B-927
| Dylan Rotchell | {{nowrap|2021–2023}} | Relief fleet | |
B-928
| Marjorie Shepherd | 2021– | {{Lbs|Filey}} | |
B-929
| Paul and Stella Rowsell | 2021– | Relief fleet | |
B-930
| Colonel Stock | 2022– | {{Lbs|Margate}} | |
B-931
| Frank C Samworth | 2022– | {{Lbs|Dart}} |
B-932
| Pamela Rosemary Dashwood | 2022– | Relief fleet | |
B-933
| Skipasund | 2022– | {{Lbs|Macduff}} |
B-934
| The Spirit of St Helier | 2022– | {{Lbs|St Helier}} |
B-935
| Daddy's Girl | 2022– | {{Lbs|Cullercoats}} | |
B-936
| Uncle Johnny | 2023– | {{Lbs|Newquay}} |
B-937
| Florence and Ernest Bowles | 2023– | {{Lbs|Aberystwyth}} | |
B-938
| Frank Townley | 2023– | {{Lbs|Criccieth}} | |
B-939
| Penny J II | 2023– | {{Lbs|Minehead}} |
B-940
| Penny J | 2024– | {{Lbs|Berwick-upon-Tweed}} | |
B-941
| Sam and Freda Parkinson | 2024– | Relief fleet | |
B-942
| Loving You | 2025– | {{Lbs|Cleethorpes}} | |
B-943
| Harold Hobbs | 2024– | {{Lbs|St Peter Port}} |
B-944
| Ruby Robinson | 2024– | {{Lbs|Bangor}} |
B-945
| SeaGil | 2024– | {{Lbs|Sunderland}} | |
B-946
| Spirit of Cooperation | 2024– | Relief fleet | |
B-947
| Claude and Kath | 2024– | {{Lbs|Teignmouth}} |
B-948
| Herietta H | 2024– | {{Lbs|Mudeford}} |
B-949
| Ralph | 2025– | {{Lbs|Aldeburgh}} |
B-950
| Hounslow Branch | 2025– | {{Lbs|Walmer}} |
B-951
| Neil Crowe | 2025– | {{Lbs|Port Erin}} |
B-952
| | | | |
B-953
| | | | |
{{notelist}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Atlantic 85 class lifeboats}}
- [https://rnli.org/what-we-do/lifeboats-and-stations/our-lifeboat-fleet/b-class-lifeboat RNLI Fleet B-class lifeboat Fleet]
{{RNLI lifeboat classes}}