H-class lifeboat

RNLI Hovercraft H-001
RNLI Hovercraft H001 Molly Rayner in 2005
Class overview
NameH-class rescue hovercraft
BuildersGriffon Hoverwork
Operators Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
Preceded byNone
Built2002–2009
In service2002–
Completed7
Active7
General characteristics
Displacement3.86 tonnes
Length6.88 m (22.6 ft)
Beam3.36 m (11.0 ft)
DraughtN/A
Propulsion2 x VW 1.9 turbo diesels
Speed30 knots (35 mph; 56 km/h)
Endurance3 hours
Capacity10
Complement2-4

H-class rescue hovercraft [1] serve the shores of the United Kingdom as a part of the RNLI inshore fleet. A modified Type 470TD design built by Griffon Hoverwork, they were developed to operate in tidal areas such as Morecambe Bay, where strandings by incoming tides can have fatal consequences; and in waters too shallow for normal craft.

Hovercraft were also assigned to three other stations, New Brighton, Hunstanton, and Southend-on-Sea. In 2016, the New Brighton Hovercraft H-005 Hurley Spirit was reassigned to Hoylake.

In 2023, trials were carried out by the RNLI, assisted by the team at Hoylake station, to evaluate different crafts being considered as a potential successor to the current hovercraft.[2]

Fleet

RNLB Hurley Spirit approaching the old slipway at Hoylake old lifeboat station.
Op.No.[a] Name In service[3] Principal Station Comments
H-001 Molly Rayner 2002– Relief fleet [4]
H-002 The Hurley Flyer 2002– Morecambe [5]
H-003 Hunstanton Flyer
(Civil Service No.45) 		2003– Hunstanton [6]
H-004 Vera Ravine 2004– Southend-on-Sea [7]
H-005 Hurley Spirit 2004–2016
2016– 		New Brighton
Hoylake 		[8]
H-006 John Russell 2005– Relief fleet [9]
H-007 Samburgh 2009– Relief fleet
  1. ^ Op.No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat.

References

  1. ^ "Rescue hovercraft". RNLI. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Hoylake RNLI trial new hovercraft models". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  3. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
  4. ^ "This is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's Hovercraft H-001, named Molly Rayner". UK Emergency Vehicles. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  5. ^ "Morecambe RNLI celebrate 20 years of its inshore rescue hovercraft". RNLI. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Hunstanton Flyer is celebrating 20 years of saving lives at sea". Town&Around. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Southend-on-Sea RNLI mark the 20th anniversary of the hovercraft". RNLI. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  8. ^ "20 years of saving lives: Hoylake RNLI mark the anniversary of the hovercraft". RNLI. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  9. ^ "RNLI hovercraft launched". Motorboat & Yachting. Retrieved 8 November 2005.

External links

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