Thames class lifeboat
Encyclopedia
The Thames class lifeboat was operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution
(RNLI) from its stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom between 1974 and 1997. Six were ordered but only two completed; they have both been sold on to other users.
The class takes its name from the River Thames
which flows through London and into the North Sea
.
(USCG) had developed a faster 44-foot motor lifeboat
which planed across the water with a reduced contact area and therefore could move much faster. The RNLI obtained one in 1964. This led to the introduction of the 44 in 10 in (13.67 m) into service in 1967. The RNLI's architects designed a larger version with a longer hull and a bow of different shape. Six boats were ordered from Brooke Marine in Lowestoft
but a cash-flow problem saw the project cancelled after just two had been built. Cancellation charges were paid as the builders had already ordered the necessary materials. Instead the alternative 52 feet (15.8 m) , which had first launched in 1971, went into full production.
s.
. It entered service at in December 1974 and was in service there until August 1978. During this time it was used for 45 service calls and saved 17 lives. Its most meritorious service in this time was on 28 November 1977 when Coxswain
Arthur West was awarded an RNLI Bronze Medal for his outstanding seamanship and tremendous courage in saving six men from a storm-lashed 110 by barge. In 1979 it was reallocated to Dover Lifeboat Station where it was well liked. It was replaced in 1997 by brand new City of London II.
After a few months in the relief fleet Rotary Service was withdrawn from service. The following year it was sold and was reported in 2008 working as pilot boat Treffry at Castletownbere
.
where it was renamed P&O Nedlloyd Rescue and put in to service with Sumner Lifeboat Institution Inc. It was sold to Lyttelton Port Company Ltd when replaced in 2010 by a new localy built Sumner Class lifeboat. It now serves as a LPC work boat and relief pilot boat named LPC Rescue.
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a charity that saves lives at sea around the coasts of Great Britain, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, as well as on selected inland waterways....
(RNLI) from its stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom between 1974 and 1997. Six were ordered but only two completed; they have both been sold on to other users.
The class takes its name from the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
which flows through London and into the North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
.
History
In the 1960s the RNLI's fleet consisted of motor lifeboats of limited speed due to the shape of their hull. The United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
(USCG) had developed a faster 44-foot motor lifeboat
44-foot motor lifeboat
The 44-foot motor lifeboat was the standard workhorse of the United States Coast Guard rescue boat fleet. The 44′ MLB has been replaced by the 47′ MLB....
which planed across the water with a reduced contact area and therefore could move much faster. The RNLI obtained one in 1964. This led to the introduction of the 44 in 10 in (13.67 m) into service in 1967. The RNLI's architects designed a larger version with a longer hull and a bow of different shape. Six boats were ordered from Brooke Marine in Lowestoft
Lowestoft
Lowestoft is a town in the English county of Suffolk. The town is on the North Sea coast and is the most easterly point of the United Kingdom. It is north-east of London, north-east of Ipswich and south-east of Norwich...
but a cash-flow problem saw the project cancelled after just two had been built. Cancellation charges were paid as the builders had already ordered the necessary materials. Instead the alternative 52 feet (15.8 m) , which had first launched in 1971, went into full production.
Description
The Thames Class had 50 feet (15.2 m) steel hulls. They were powered by a pair of 390 hp General Motors diesel engineDiesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
s.
Rotary Service
The prototype Thames Class was given RNLI Official Number (ON) 1031 and Operational Number 50-001. Launched in 1973 it was named Rotary Service as its £2000,000 price was funded by Rotary InternationalRotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
. It entered service at in December 1974 and was in service there until August 1978. During this time it was used for 45 service calls and saved 17 lives. Its most meritorious service in this time was on 28 November 1977 when Coxswain
Coxswain
The coxswain is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. The etymology of the word gives us a literal meaning of "boat servant" since it comes from cox, a coxboat or other small vessel kept aboard a ship, and swain, which can be rendered as boy, in authority. ...
Arthur West was awarded an RNLI Bronze Medal for his outstanding seamanship and tremendous courage in saving six men from a storm-lashed 110 by barge. In 1979 it was reallocated to Dover Lifeboat Station where it was well liked. It was replaced in 1997 by brand new City of London II.
After a few months in the relief fleet Rotary Service was withdrawn from service. The following year it was sold and was reported in 2008 working as pilot boat Treffry at Castletownbere
Castletownbere
Castletownbere is a small town in County Cork in Ireland. It is located on the southwest coast of Ireland, in West Cork, on Berehaven harbour near the entrance to Bantry Bay. It is also known as Castletown Berehaven. The name of the town comes from the no longer extant MacCarty Castle, and not...
.
Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit
The second Thames Class (ON 1032, 50-002) was launched in 1976 and received the name Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit. Until 1979 it was used for further trials but then took up station at . It too was withdrawn in 1997 but the following year was sold for further use as a lifeboat. It was shipped to New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
where it was renamed P&O Nedlloyd Rescue and put in to service with Sumner Lifeboat Institution Inc. It was sold to Lyttelton Port Company Ltd when replaced in 2010 by a new localy built Sumner Class lifeboat. It now serves as a LPC work boat and relief pilot boat named LPC Rescue.