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The
Tyne class lifeboat was
primarily design as a slipway launched lifeboat, which requires the
propellers to be protected and as a result she was also suitable to
lie afloat at stations where propeller protection was required by
local conditions.
The boat has a steel hull with shallow draught, long straight keel
and extended bilge keels to protect propellers. The Tyne class has a
top speed of
18 knots and was developed in the early 1980s, to
replace conventional lifeboats at slipway stations, and has
therefore
been design to fit into existing boathouses, which has resulted in
the low height of the boat and the moveable Radar Masts.
The National Maritime Institute provided the basic hull lines for
the Tyne class, these lines were for a semi-planing hull, which, as
the boat accelerates, helps, the boat rise clear of the waters drag.
Conventional displacement hulls do not act in this way, which
results in their slower speed.
Protection for the propellers is given by partial tunnels, by very
deep bilge keels, and a straight wide keel. The superstructure of
the lifeboat is constructed out of aluminium; the superstructure is
watertight which enable the boat to self right in 5 seconds in the
event of a capsize.
Steering is by twin rudders, which have both power assisted and
hand hydraulic controls. The diesel engines draw fuel from two tanks
and there is also a third reserve fuel tank. Trim planes are fitted
to alter the running trim in varying sea conditions The lifeboat is
fitted with a wide selection of communication and navigational aids,
which include, radar, GPS, laser plotter, VHF and MF radios, VHF
direction finder and echo sounders.
The last Tyne class was built in
1990, a total of 40 were built and are still in service today. the Tyne
class is nearing the end of its operational life and work on the design of a
replacement is well underway.
Length: 47ft (14.3m)
Beam: 14ft (4.48m)
Displacement: 27 tons
Speed: 18 knots
Range: 240 n. miles
Crew: 6
(Here is the meaning of the numbers painted on "Sir
Williams" hull)
47-032
47 = 47ft long, 0 = means made of Steel
and 32 = 32nd Tyne Class built.
The "Sir William Hillary" is named after the
Founder of the RNLI and is the second life boat to bear the name
"Sir William Hillary", the other being at
Dover mid 1930's until in1940 she was taken over by the
Admiralty to use as an air-sea rescue launch during WW
II.
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* Douglas Lifeboat Service Calls *
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