So this month a few facts about our lifeboats:
Ernest and Mabel… did you know?
Our all-weather lifeboat, is one of the RNLI’s Severn class boats, designed to take on the worst sea conditions and comes into her own on long offshore searches and rescues – ideal for the English Channel.
Why Severn… ?
Following a tradition of naming our modern lifeboats after rivers, the Severn is named after the Severn River – the longest river in the UK.
Boat hull number, 17-32…?
RNLI lifeboats have a unique identification number. The first part indicates the class of boat; Severn class lifeboats start with 17 because they are just over 17m in length.
The numbers after the dash refer to the build number. So the first Severn built was given the number 17-01, etc. Weymouth’s was therefore build number 32.
Jack & Phyl Cleare – B-917?
Introduced to the station in 2022 Jack and Phyl Cleare is our Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat.
Atlantic 85?
Named after Atlantic College in Wales where these rigid inflatable lifeboats (RIBs) were first developed. 85 represents its length – nearly 8.5m – imaginative!
Highly manoeuvrable to get out crew on scene, ideal for close to shore rescues, our Atlantic 85 is one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet, with a top speed is 35 knots powered by two 115hp engines.
Our Atlantic 85 lifeboats are built and maintained at our Inshore Lifeboat Centre at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
B-917?
The B class Atlantic 85 lifeboats were numbered from 801, Jack and Phyl Cleare is build number 917
January has been an uneventful month, so far, thankfully, with just two shouts.
Our crews have made the most of the recent stormy weather for rough water sea handling – always good to experience and practice.
Planning is already underway for Lifeboat Week 2025, which will be July 27th – August 2nd.
Keep an eye on our Facebook pages for more details near the time.
Until next month enjoy the water whether on or near.