Relief fleet RNLB Bridie O'Shea, RNLB 13-33

RNLI relief fleet Shannon class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Bridie O’Shea RNLI 13-33 moored at Lowestoft Haven Marina.

 

The Shannon is the first modern all-weather lifeboat propelled by waterjets instead of propellers, making her the most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat in the RNLI fleet.

Waterjets allow the Shannon to operate in shallow waters and be intentionally beached. And when precision really matters, such as operating alongside a stricken vessel or navigating around hazards, they come into their own. At maximum power, the Shannon lifeboat pumps 1.477 tons of water each second from her waterjets.

The Shannon is the smallest and lightest of the RNLI's 25 knot lifeboats, meaning she is capable of being launched straight off the beach via a new and improved launch and recovery system. Designed in conjunction with Supacat Ltd, the new tractor borne carriage allows a faster and safer launch and recovery time than the present Mersey system. It operates as a mobile slipway, which solves the unique challenge of transporting, launching and recovering the Shannon lifeboat over some of the most demanding beaches. After being recovered from the beach bow first, a turntable in the carriage rotates the Shannon 180º ready for her next launch.

 

Name: Bridie O'Shea

Class: Shannon

Official number: 1340

Operations number: RNLI 13-33

Station: Relief fleet

Flag: United Kingdom

MMSI: 232009300

Call sign: MBIO8

Crew: 6

Survivor capacity, self-righting: 23

Survivor capacity, non self-righting: 79

Launch type: Carriage, afloat or slipway

Length: 44 ft. 7 in. (13.6 m)

Beam: 14 ft. 11 in. (4.54 m)

Draught: 3 ft. 3 in. (1 m)

Displacement: 17.72 tons

Fuel capacity: 603 gal. (2,740 litres)

Engines: 2 x 13 litre Scania D13

Engine output: 2 x 650 hp ( 484.7 kW)

Propulsion: 2 x Hamilton HJ364 waterjets

Max speed: 25 knots (25.75 mph - 46.3 km/h)

Range: 250 nautical miles ( 290 miles/465 km)

Crew: 6

Year built: 2019

Builder: All-weather Lifeboat Centre, Poole, Dorset

Construction: Fibre-reinforced composite (FRC)

 

At 3.46pm on Saturday 25th. April 2020 RNLI Exmouth's temporary all-weather lifeboat Bridie O’Shea (RNLI 13-33) was alerted by H.M. Coastguard to a report of a missing diver four miles off the coast of Seatown, Dorset. Following the alert the lifeboat was launched shortly afterwards at 4.03pm and under the command of deputy Coxswain, Roger Jackson it immediately made its way to the area. Once on the scene they were assisted in a search of the area by RNLI Lyme Regis Atlantic 85 ILB Spirit of Loch Fyne (B-857), Royal Navy ship HMS Tyne (P 281), an H.M. Coastguard helicopter from Newquay and other vessels in the area.

After a brief search the missing diver was located safe and well and taken to safety. He had been diving without a buddy and adrift for two hours in which time he floated three miles from his last reported location. He had surfaced safely but lost sight of the dive vessel after his line became detached. He did not require medical attention.

The lifeboat returned to Exmouth RNLI lifeboat station at 6.13pm and was back on station ready for service shortly afterwards.

 

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