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Claude and Kath RNLI B-947(Atlantic 85 class lifeboat) - SAR-Vessel, MMSI 232053079

Lifeboat category: Atlantic 85 Inshore

 

Maximum speed:– 35 knots

Range / endurance:– 3 hours maximum

Displacement / weight:Atlantic 85 – 1.8 tonnes

Beam / width:– 2.85m

Draught / depth:– 0.53m

Fuel capacity:– 210 litres

 

Construction

 

FRC with Hypalon tubeEndurance3 hours

Engines2 x 115hp Yamaha Outboard

Crew4

Survivor capacity: 20

Hulls built by Souter Marine (later SAR Composites at Lymington), and tubes by Avon. Final assembly completed at the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Centre at Cowes, Isle of Wight. The Atlantic 85 replaced the Atlantic 75 in RNLI service.

 

Communications and navigation Includes

 

Fitted and hand-held VHF (very high frequency) radio

intercom (Atlantic 85 only)

onboard global positioning system (GPS)

radar (Atlantic 85 only)

VHF direction-finding (VDF) equipment (Atlantic 85 only)

electronic chart

 

The Atlantic 85 is part of the B-class of lifeboats that serve the shores of the United Kingdom and Ireland as a part of the RNLI inshore fleet.

 

The Atlantic 85 is the third generation B-class Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) developed from the Atlantic 21 and the later Atlantic 75. The Atlantic design of the B-class of lifeboats is named after Atlantic College, where the design was originally developed.

 

Design

 

The hull is constructed in a fibre reinforced composite, consisting of a carbon fibre and foam core laminate with an epoxy glass and foam sandwich layup. The tubes are Hypalon.

 

The boat is powered by twin 115 hp (86 kW) Yamaha 4-stroke outboard engines that have been inversion-proofed to ensure the engines are still operational after a capsize.

 

Like previous RIBs, it has a manually operated self-righting mechanism that deploys an airbag mounted atop the A-frame. It is capable of being beached in an emergency without sustaining damage to engines or steering gear. The Atlantic 85 is fitted with radar and VHF direction finding equipment and can be operated safely in daylight in a force 6/7 and at night in a force 5/6.

 

The Atlantic 85 also has intercom communications between the crew and VHF radio via their helmets, DGPS & Chartplotter. It also carries a searchlight, night-vision equipment and illuminating paraflares for night-time operations.

 

To ensure equipment is kept to a high standard of repair, boats go through annual or bi-annual overhauls, and 4-year refits.

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Uploaded on August 14, 2025
Taken on August 3, 2025