RNLI-Kirkcudbright Lifeboat Atlantic 85 Sheila Stenhouse

Named the Sheila Stenhouse,the Atlantic 85,Kirkcudbrights new state of the art lifeboat going through its paces on it's launch day Saturday the 13th of October 2007. Dedicated to all lifeboatmen everywhere. Specifications; THE ATLANTIC 85 Length overall: 8.3m Maximum beam: 2.9m Draught: 0.5m(engines raised)/0.9M (Engines fully down) Displacement: 1.8 tonnes (fully fuelled and equipped but without crew) Engines: 2 x 115hpYamaha 4-stroke inversion proofed outboard engines Speed: 35 knots Endurance: 2.5 hours at maximum speed Crew: 3 or 4 Maximum operating conditions: Sea conditions associated with onshore winds of force seven. Equipment includes, radar, chart plotter, echo sounder, VHF radios, first aid equipment, oxygen and night vision aids. The lifeboats are fitted with inflatable righting equipment, manually operated in the unlikely event of a capsize. The inversion proofed engines enable the boat to be restarted after righting. The lifeboat incorporates a water ballasting system and engines that can be trimmed in or out as dictated by weather and sea conditions. Atlantic 85s have a good towing capability. First developed at Atlantic College in Wales and then by the RNLI, Atlantic (B -Class) lifeboats are rigid inflatable inshore lifeboats (ILBs) that can operate in conditions up to near gale force 7. They provide a rapid search and rescue response to emergency situations that arise close to shore, typically within ten miles. Their manoeuvrability and shallow draught make them ideal for use in coastal waters. The Atlantic 85 has been designed by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to meet the ever-changing requirements of the lifeboat service and to take advantage of the latest advances in maritime technology. The "85" is the product of 5 years of consultation, design and development and has undergone rigorous evaluation and testing by both RNLI staff and lifeboat crews from the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The lifeboat succeeds the highly successful Atlantic 75 that was introduced into service in 1993 and is the third generation of the "Atlantic" (B-Class) lifeboat. The main advantages over the previous variants are increased speed, the provision of radar, a seat for a fourth crew member and increased survivor capacity. The fully inversion-proofed four-stroke outboard engines are superior in performance to their two- stroke predecessors. They are environmentally friendly and have improved acceleration and top speed but with only marginally increased fuel consumption. SP Systems Ltd based on the Isle of Wight manufactured the hull of this particular lifeboat. It is constructed from an immensely strong foam cored composite material, and trials have proven that the lifeboat handles in a similar manner to the Atlantic 75. In trained hands, she is safe and predictable in weather and sea conditions that far exceed the stated operational limitations. The Wiltshire-based firm Henshaw Inflatables manufactures the inflatable sponsons from heavy grade hypalon, a highly durable and resistant fabric well proven on previous classes of lifeboat. The lifeboat is fitted out at the RNLI's own production facility, the Inshore Lifeboat Centre, located at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Each lifeboat undergoes a detailed and rigorous process of quality assurance and lifeboat crews receive appropriate competency training, before being cleared to operate the vessel

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• craft
• dumfries
• galloway
• kirkcudbright
• lifeboat
• rnli
• scotland
• solway
• vessel

[jimzvidz1]

Thanks Sam,doesn't time fly...it seems like only yesterday

[celticsam3]

Good Guys eh! Brilliant Display!! Nice vid Jim- liked the clip and the music