Solent-class lifeboat
The Solent-class lifeboat is a steel-hulled version of the 48-foot, 6-inch Oakley-class self-righting lifeboat and is sometimes referred to as the 48-foot, 6-inch Oakley-class Mark III.[2] Solent Operational Numbers followed on from the first three 48-foot, 6-inch Oakleys and were interrupted by the last two Oakleys (48-12 and 48-13). The operational numbers of the Solent-class had three digits in the suffix to indicate a metal hull (as with Clyde, Waveney, Thames, Tyne classes, one Arun class and the first eleven Merseys). Two digits indicates a wooden, GRP or FRC hull.
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | |
| Operators: |
 RNLI |
| Preceded by: | Watson |
| Succeeded by: | Tyne |
| Built: | 1969–1973[1] |
| In service: | 1969–1993 |
| Completed: | 11 |
| Retired: | 11 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | motor lifeboat |
| Displacement: | 27 tons |
| Length: | 48 ft 6 in (14.78 m) |
| Beam: | 14 ft (4.3 m) |
| Draught: | 4 ft 8 in (1.42 m) |
| Propulsion: | 2 x 110 bhp Gardner 6LX diesel engines |
| Speed: | 9.5 knots (10.9 mph) |
| Range: | 150 nautical miles (280 km) |
| Crew: | 7 |
Description
Apart from the steel hull, the principal difference to the wooden-hulled Oakley was the elimination of the complicated water ballast self-righting system; the Solent derived its self-righting capability from its watertight superstructure. The class was the last design of the traditional displacement-type lifeboat to come from the drawing boards of the RNLI.[2] There were (unofficial) Mark I and Mark II versions of the class, the first eight boats having a vertical steering wheel with wheelhouse access via sliding doors at the forward end of the wheelhouse on each side, while the last three has a seated steering position with hinged wheelhouse doors at the after end of the wheelhouse. The Mark II entered service in 1972.[2] The first four boats (ON 1007-1010) and the last three (ON 1019-1021) were built at Cowes by Groves & Guttridge. The second four (ON 1011-1014) were built at Gosport by Camper & Nicholson.
Propulsion
The Solent was powered by twin 110 bhp Gardner 6LX diesel engines which gave the boat a top speed of 9.5 knots (10.9 mph). There were twin spade rudders installed which were coupled to Mathway manual steering gear which gave this class a much better manoeuvrability than earlier classes of lifeboats.
Fleet
| ON[lower-alpha 1] | Op. No.[lower-alpha 2] | Name | Built | In service | Principal Station | Disposal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1007 | 48-004 | George Urie Scott | 1969 | 1969–1978 1979–1984 1985–1989 |
Lochinver Rosslare Harbour Lochinver |
Sold in 1990, currently in Holland |
| 1008 | 48-005 | James and Mariska Joicey | 1969 | 1969–1986 1987–1988 1988–1989 |
Peterhead The Lizard Relief fleet |
Sold in 1990, currently in Northern Ireland |
| 1009 | 48-006 | Jack Shayler and the Lees | 1970 | 1970–1987 1988–1993 |
Bembridge Relief fleet |
Sold June 1994, currently at Tallinn, Estonia |
| 1010 | 48-007 | David and Elizabeth King and E.B. | 1970 | 1970–1988 1988–1989 |
Longhope Invergordon |
Sold in 1990, currently in Scotland |
| 1011 | 48-008 | R. Hope Roberts | 1969 | 1969–1979 1979–1985 1985–1987 1987–1993 |
Rosslare Harbour Fraserburgh Galway Bay Coutmacsherry Harbour |
Sold in 1993, currently in Australia |
| 1012 | 48-009 | City of Birmingham | 1970 | 1970–1983 1984–1993 |
Exmouth Walton and Frinton |
Sold to Uruguay July 1995 |
| 1013 | 48-010 | The Royal British Legion Jubilee | 1970 | 1970–1979 1979 1979–1986 1986–1988 1988–1989 |
Relief Fleet Fraserburgh Relief fleet Peterhead Relief fleet |
Sold April 1990, currently in England |
| 1014 | 48-011 | The Three Sisters | 1970 | 1970–1988 1988–1989 |
Thurso Wicklow |
Sold April 1990, currently in England |
| 1019 | 48-014 | Lady MacRobert | 1972 | 1972–1989 1989–1993 |
Montrose Relief fleet |
Sold to Uruguay March 1994 |
| 1020 | 48-015 | Hugh William Viscount Gough | 1973 | 1973–1984 1984–1988 1988–1993 |
Stornoway Barra Island Dunbar |
Sold September 1993 |
| 1021 | 48-016 | Douglas Currie | 1973 | 1973–1974 1974–1975 1975–1984 1985 1986–1989 1990–1992 |
Relief fleet Kirkwall Macduff Fraserburgh Portpatrick Workington |
Sold in 1992, currently in Scotland |
- ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
- Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.
References
- Lifeboat – In Danger’s Hour. Author: Howarth, Patrick. Publisher:Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd, Third Impression 1982. Work= The RNLI, Facts and Figures, page 140. ISBN 0 600 34959 4
- Rescue at Sea – An International History of Lifesaving, Coastal Rescue Craft and Organisations. Author: Evans, Clayton. Publisher: Conway Maritime Press – Chrysalis Books Plc. 2003. Work= Part II, Chapter 19 – To Right or Not to Right? Page 161. ISBN 0 85177 934 4