H-class lifeboat
H-class rescue hovercraft 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.
 RNLI Hovercraft H001 Molly Rayner in 2005 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | H-class rescue hovercraft |
| Builders: | Griffon Hoverwork |
| Operators: |
 Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) |
| Preceded by: | None |
| Built: | 2002–2009 |
| In service: | 2002– |
| Completed: | 7 (production ongoing) |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 3.86 tonnes |
| Length: | 6.88 m (22.6 ft) |
| Beam: | 3.36 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draught: | N/A |
| Propulsion: | 2 x VW 1.9 turbo diesels |
| Speed: | 30 knots (35 mph) |
| Endurance: | 3 hours |
| Capacity: | 10 |
| Complement: | 2-4 |
Hovercraft also operate out of Hunstanton, Hoylake, and Southend-on-Sea stations.
Fleet
| Op. No.[lower-alpha 1] | Name | In service | Principal Station |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-001 | Molly Rayner | 2002– | Relief fleet |
| H-002 | The Hurley Flyer | 2002– | Morecambe |
| H-003 | Hunstanton Flyer (Civil Service No. 450) | 2003– | Hunstanton |
| H-004 | Vera Ravine | 2004– | Southend-on-Sea |
| H-005 | Hurley Spirit | 2005– | Hoylake |
| H-006 | John Russell | 2005– | Relief fleet[1] |
| H-007 | Samburgh | 2009– | Relief fleet[2] |
- Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat.
References
- "RNLI's latest hovercraft named in Poole". RNLI. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
- "Hovercraft funded by generous legacy to be named in special ceremony at RNLI HQ". RNLI. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
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