Tyne class lifeboat

RNLI Tyne class lifeboat
Class overview
Operators:	23px Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Cost:	£1.2 Million
Built:	1982–1990
In service:	1982–
General characteristics
Displacement:	26 long tons (26 t)
Length:	47 ft (14 m)
Beam:	14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)
Draught:	4 ft 2 in (1.27 m)
Propulsion:	2 × DDEC V6 diesels 2 × GM V6 diesels or 2 × V8 diesels
Speed:	17.6 knots (20.3 mph; 32.6 km/h)
Range:	240 nmi (440 km)
Capacity:	Self Righting 20 Non-Self Righting 100
Complement:	6 + doctor

Tyne class lifeboats serve the shores of the UK and Ireland as a part of the RNLI fleet. They are named after the River Tyne in north-east England. The class was introduced in 1982, and the last boat was built in 1990.

The unusual design of this lifeboat derives from the requirement to deploy from slipway stations built for previous generations of lifeboats, with limited clearance. The Tyne also lies afloat at stations where the approaches, or operating areas, are particularly shallow. As the lifeboat propellers are protected by heavy bilge keels, she is particularly well suited to operate where there is a danger of hitting the bottom, or tapping as it is known locally.

After over 20 years of service, they are gradually being replaced by the substantially larger and more powerful Tamar class lifeboat, for which new slipway stations are being constructed.

Gallery

• Tyne class lifeboat at Lowestoft.jpg

  Spirit of Lowestoft

• Lifeboat.47-023.docked.arp.jpg

  Tyne class lifeboat City of Sheffield in Poole Harbour, Dorset, England. Built 1988.

External links

• RNLI - Fleet