Mersey-class lifeboat
{{Short description|Rescue lifeboat class}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
| {{Infobox ship begin|sclass=2}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image= File:Aldeburgh Lifeboat 12-34 Freddie Cooper (2).jpg |Ship caption= Aldeburgh Lifeboat 12-34 Freddie Cooper (ON 1193) }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Name= Mersey Class |Builders= |Operators=*File:Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg Royal National Lifeboat Institution
|Class before= {{Lbb|Rother}}, {{Lbb|Oakley}} |Class after= {{Lbb|Shannon}}, {{Lbc|B|Atlantic 85}} |Subclasses= |Cost= £350,000 |Built range= 1987–1993 |In service range=1988– |In commission range= |Total ships building= |Total ships planned= |Total ships completed= 38 |Total ships cancelled= |Total ships active= 9 |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= |Total ships retired= 28 |Total ships preserved= 1 }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship class= |Ship displacement= {{convert|14.3|t|LT|abbr=on}} |Ship length={{convert|11.62|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|4.0|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship draught={{convert|1.02|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship propulsion=2 × {{convert|285|hp|kW|abbr=on}} Caterpillar 3208T diesel engines |Ship speed= {{convert|17|kn|mph km/h|lk=in}} |Ship range= {{convert|240|nmi|km|lk=in|abbr=on}} |Ship endurance=10.25 hours approx. at cruising speed |Ship capacity= 43 survivors (self-righting up to 21) |Ship complement=6 |Ship notes= }} |
Mersey-class lifeboats are All-weather lifeboats operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from stations around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland, with three former RNLI boats operated by ADES Uruguay, and one by Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile . They are capable of operating at up to {{Convert|17|kn|km/h}} and can be launched from a carriage or by slipway.
The class name comes from the River Mersey which flows into the Irish Sea in north west England.
History
During the 1960s and 1970s the RNLI introduced fast lifeboats capable of considerable greater speeds than the {{Convert|8|kn|km/h}} of existing designs. The first of these were only able to be kept afloat as their propellers would be damaged if launched using a slipway or carriage. In 1982 the steel-hulled {{lbc|Tyne}} came into service which could be launched down a slipway but weighed 25 tons so was not suitable for being moved across a beach on a carriage. The answer was to build a smaller boat with an aluminium hull, which became the Mersey Class.{{cite book |last= Wake-Walker |first= Edward |author2=Deane, Heather |author3=Purches, Georgette |title= Lifeboat! Royal National Lifeboat Institution |year= 1989 |publisher= Ian Allan |location= Shepperton |isbn= 0-7110-1835-9 |pages= 38–43 }}
The first, unnamed, Mersey was built in 1986 and undertook trials during 1987 and 1988. It was then taken out of service and sold the following year. It was working as a trip boat in Westport, County Mayo in 2008 carrying the name Spirit. Two more boats were built in 1988, with the first one to take up active service going to Bridlington Lifeboat Station the following year.{{cite book |last1=Leonard |first1=Richie |last2=Denton |first2=Tony |title=Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025 |date=2025 |publisher=Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society |pages=64–69}}
In 1989, 12-11 Lifetime Care (ON 1148) was built with a fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) hull. Boats built in 1990 continued to use aluminium but from 1991 FRC became the standard hull material.{{cite book |last= Wake-Walker |first= Edward |title= The Lifeboats Story |year= 2008 |publisher= Sutton Publishing |location= Stroud |isbn= 9780750948586 |page= 69 }}
In 2014, the first of the {{Lbc|Shannon}} lifeboats replaced the Mersey lifeboats at Dungeness, Exmouth and Hoylake. The RNLI intended to have 25 knot lifeboats at all offshore lifeboat stations by the end of 2019. However, this target has not been met, with two Mersey-class lifeboats still on station at {{Lbs|Douglas}} and {{Lbs|Newcastle}} (Mar 2025).
On Wednesday 13 December 2023, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh joined RNLI representatives at Windsor Castle for the handover of RNLB 12-30 Her Majesty The Queen (ON 1189) to the Chatham Historic Dockyard.{{cite web |title=HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh joins RNLI for retirement of HM The Queen lifeboat |url=https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2023/december/13/hrh-the-duchess-of-edinburgh-joins-rnli-for-retirement-of-hm-the-queen-lifeboat?fbclid=IwAR0gfKwDzbDM1u5uARUjKJ0go8m0YgpvpRC_5mzWDZ1j5sZIIIzM_mZa8-k |publisher=RNLI |access-date=13 December 2023}}
Description
The Mersey is designed to be launched from a carriage, but can also lie afloat or be slipway launched when required. Its propellers are fully protected from damage when launching or in shallow water, by partial tunnels and two bilge keels. Its low height can be further reduced by collapsing its mast and aerials which then allows it to be stored in a boathouse. A sealed cabin gives it a self-righting ability.
Power comes from two 3208T Caterpillar turbo-charged marine diesel engines giving 285 hp at 2,800 rpm. It carries {{Convert|1110|l|gal}} of fuel to give it a range of {{Convert|240|nmi|km}}. It has a crew of six and can carry an inflatable X Boat which it can deploy at sea. Its survivor compartment can carry 43 people, but more than 21 prevents self-righting should the boat capsize.{{cite web | title = Mersey | work = Lifeboats and stations | publisher = RNLI | url = http://rnli.org/aboutus/lifeboatsandstations/lifeboats/Pages/Mersey.aspx | accessdate = 2012-07-12 }}
Gallery
File:Wells-Next-The-Sea Lifeboat Coming Home.jpg|Launching from a carriage and Talus MB-H amphibious tractor
File:Swanage lifeboat on its slipway 1.JPG|Launching from a slipway
File:Swanage lifeboat on its slipway 2.JPG|Stern showing the protected propellers
File:Lifeboat Engines.JPG|Engine room
Mersey lifeboat fleet
=RNLI active fleet=
| class="wikitable"
! ON{{efn|name=ON|ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.}} ! Op.No.{{efn|name=Op|Op.No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.}} ! Name ! Station ! Launching method ! MMSI{{cite web |title=Marine Traffic |url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/}} |
| 1177
| {{nowrap|12-20}} | Leonard Kent | {{nowrap|1991–2021}} | {{Lbs|Margate}} | Carriage | 232002280 | |
| 1172
| 12-15 | Frank and Lena | {{nowrap|1992–2023}} | {{Lbs|New Quay}} | Carriage | 232002726 | |
=RNLI relief fleet=
=RNLI retired fleet=
| class="wikitable"
! ON{{efn|name=ON}} ! Op.No.{{efn|name=Op}} ! Name ! Station ! Launching method ! MMSI{{cite web |title=Marine Traffic |url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/}} |
| 1119
| – | – | {{nowrap|1987–1988}} | – | – | – | Sold 1989. Named Spirit. |
| 1124
| {{nowrap|12-001}} | Peggy and Alex Caird | 1988–1995 | {{Lbs|Bridlington}} | Carriage | 316036365 | Sold 2015, Renamed Mersey Rose with Needles Pleasure Cruises. |
| 1125
| 12-002 | Sealink Endeavour | 1987–1989 | Trials | – | – | Sold 2020. Renamed Endeavour. |
| 1161
| 12-003 | Doris M Mann of Ampthill | 1990–2023 | {{Lbs|Wells-next-the-Sea}} | Carriage | – | Sold 2023. |
| 1162
| 12-004 | Royal Shipwright | 1990–2007 | Relief fleet | – | 232002744 | Sold 2016. Renamed Patricia. |
| 1163
| 12-005 | Lady of Hilbre | 1990–2014 | {{Lbs|Hoylake}} | Carriage | – | Sold 2022. |
| 1164
| 12-006 | Andy Pearce | 1990–2017 | {{Lbs|Llandudno}} | Carriage | – | Sold 2019. Renamed Njord. |
| 1165
| 12-007 | Spirit of Derbyshire | 1990–2015 | {{Lbs|Ilfracombe}} | Carriage | 215000129 | Sold 2015. Renamed Mercy. |
| 1166
| 12-008 | Lincolnshire Poacher | 1990–2017 | {{Lbs|Skegness}} | Carriage | 232003204 | Sold 2021. Renamed Bailiwick Reliance |
| 1167
| 12-009 | 1990–2015 | {{Lbs|St Ives}} | Carriage | 232003618 | Sold 1 June 2016. Renamed Ulidia. |
| 1168
| 12-010 | Lily and Vincent Anthony | 1991–2021 | {{Lbs|Pwllheli}} | Carriage | 232003205 | Sold November 2023. Renamed Charles Wesley. |
| 1148
| 12-11 | Lifetime Care | 1989–1990 | Relief fleet | – | – | Sold 2017. |
| 1169
| 12-12 | Marine Engineer | 1990–1995 | Relief fleet | – | 232003625 | Sold January 2024. |
| 1170
| {{nowrap|12-13}} | {{nowrap|Keep Fit Association}} | 1991–2021 | {{Lbs|Filey}} | Carriage | – | Sold May 2024. Renamed Storm Siren II on 21 November 2024. |
| 1171
| 12-14 | Ann and James Ritchie | 1991–2019 | {{Lbs|Ramsey}} | Carriage | 250013635 | Sold 2022. Renamed James Stevens. |
| 1173
| 12-16 | Grace Darling | 1991–2020 | {{Lbs|Seahouses}} | Carriage | 232002240 | Sold 2021. |
| 1175
| 12-18 | Fanny Victoria Wilkinson and Frank Stubbs | 1991–2016 | {{Lbs|Scarborough}} | Carriage | – | Sold 2018. |
| 1176
| 12-19 | The Four Boys | 1991–1998 | {{Lbs|Sennen Cove}} | Slipway | 232020008 | Sold 2018. Renamed The Four Boys of Pendennis. |
| 1178
| 12-21 | Margaret Jean | 1992–1998 | Relief fleet | – | 232002290 | Sold 2020. Renamed Arwen Myrtle. |
| 1182
| 12-23 | Robert Charles Brown | 1992–2016 | {{Lbs|Swanage}} | Slipway | – | Sold 2019. Renamed Atlantic. |
| 1183
| 12-24 | Lil Cunningham | 1992–2019 | {{Lbs|Rhyl}} | Carriage | 232002741 | Sold 2020. Renamed Ellen Rodger. |
| 1184
| 12-25 | Bingo Lifeline | 1992–2020 | Relief fleet | – | 232002573 | Sold 2021. |
| 1185
| 12-26 | Moira Barrie | 1992–2019 | {{Lbs|Barmouth}} | Carriage | 232030482 | Sold 2020. Renamed Arwen. |
| 1186
| 12-27 | Pride and Spirit | 1992–2014 | {{Lbs|Dungeness}} | Carriage | 232003202 | Sold 2021. |
| 1187
| 12-28 | Mary Margaret | 1992–2004 | {{Lbs|Kilmore Quay}} | Afloat | 232002581 | Sold 2023. |
| 1188
| 12-29 | Eleanor and Bryant Girling | 1993–2022 | {{Lbs|Newcastle}} | Carriage | 244729436 | Sold 2022. Renamed The Mersey (3-YG-894). |
| 1189
| 12-30 | Her Majesty The Queen | 1993–1996 | Relief fleet | – | 232002574 | 15 November 2023, On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard Returned to RNLI HQ at Poole, February 2025. |
| 1190
| 12-31 | Doris Bleasdale | 1993–2019 | {{Lbs|Clogherhead}} | Carriage | 232031477 | Sold 2020. |
| 1191
| 12-32 | Joy and Charles Beeby | 1993–2023 | {{nowrap|{{Lbs|Berwick-upon-Tweed}}}} | Slipway | – | Sold July 2024. Renamed John Wesley. |
| 1192
| 12-33 | Fisherman's Friend | 1993–1999 | Relief fleet | – | – | Sold 2020. |
| 1194
| 12-35 | Inchcape | 1993–2024 | {{Lbs|Arbroath}} | Slipway | | ALB withdrawn from Arbroath, 17 March 2024.{{cite news |last1=Macnamara |first1=Martin |title=Arbroath RNLI bid farewell to the Mersey-class lifeboat after 30 years’ service |url=https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2024/march/15/arbroath-rnli-bid-farewell-to-the-mersey-class-lifeboat-after-30-years-service |access-date=14 October 2024 |publisher=RNLI |date=15 March 2024}} |
| 1195
| 12-36 | Royal Thames | 1993–2012 | {{Lbs|Eastbourne}} | Afloat | – | Sold Jan 2021. Renamed Sea Searcher. |
| 1196
| 12-37 | Sylvia Burrell | 1993–2018 | {{Lbs|Girvan}} | Afloat | – | Sold August 2021. Renamed Ailsa Craig. |
{{notelist}}
=Uruguay=
ADES Uruguay is an Honorary Lifesaving Institution founded in 1955. All our volunteers are honorary, people who train weekly to go to sea with the sole purpose of helping whoever requests help. The rescues have no cost to the beneficiaries. At the national level ADES Uruguay is part of the National Emergency Committee and at the international level it is part of the IMRF (International Maritime Rescue Federation){{cite web |title=ADES Uruguay |url=https://www.ades.org.uy/ |access-date=27 November 2023}}
| class="wikitable"
! RNLI ON ! Name ! Station ! MMSI |
| 1173
| ADES 28 Grace Darling | 2021– | 232002240 | |
| 1184
| {{nowrap|ADES 29 BROU 125 Anniversario}} | 2021– | 232002573 | |
| 1186
| ADES 30 | 2021– | 232003202 | |
=Chile=
Operated by Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile
| class="wikitable"
! RNLI ON ! Name ! Station |
| 1175
| {{nowrap|Valparaiso IV}} | 2018– | Images of 12-28 in Chile are [https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/photos-see-old-scarborough-lifeboat-enjoy-new-life-in-chile-1-9857558 here], still in near RNLI colours. |
Notes
{{Reflist|group=Previously}}
References
{{Reflist}}