Boston Whaler-class lifeboat
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Boston Whaler class |
| Builders | Boston Whaler |
| Operators |  Royal National Lifeboat Institution |
| Preceded by | McLachlan |
| Succeeded by | Atlantic 21 |
| Built | 1985 |
| In service | 1985–1994 |
| Completed | 1 |
| Retired | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m) |
| Beam | 8 ft (2.4 m) |
| Propulsion | 2 x 90 hp Evinrude diesels |
| Speed | 30 knots (35 mph; 56 km/h) |
| Complement | 2–3 |
The Boston Whaler-class lifeboat was an A-class lifeboat, formerly operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) of the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was replaced by the Atlantic 21.[1][2]
History
[edit]On 21 January 1985, the RNLI placed a 20-foot 6in Rigid fibreglass Boston Whaler Outrage lifeboat on service at Poole Lifeboat Station in Dorset.[3]
The boat had primarily been funded in Poole, from the 1981 Poole mayor's appeal, the Round Table and 'Beating the Bounds' collections. At a naming ceremony held at Poole Yacht Club on Wed 8 May 1985, Councillor P. J. Coles (former mayor) named the lifeboat Sam and Iris Coles (A-513) in memory of his parents.[4]
Only one lifeboat of this rigid fibreglass type was employed by the RNLI, and was the last surviving rigid Inshore Lifeboat in service, following the withdrawal of the McLachlan-class lifeboats in 1988. The lifeboat had been retained at Poole due to the shallow conditions in Poole Harbour, but whilst away for maintenance, it was realised that a B-class lifeboat was equally effective. Sam and Iris Coles was withdrawn for use at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre on 28 November 1994, and replaced with a B-class (Atlantic 21).[5]
Fleet
[edit]| Op. No.[a] | Name | Built | In service | Station | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-513 | Sam and Iris Coles | 1985 | 1985–1994 | Poole |
- ^ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Leach, Nicholas (30 April 2014). The Lifeboat Service in South East England. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781445617572.
- ^ "Boston Whaler Lifeboat". Boston Whaler. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
- ^ "On Station" (PDF). The Lifeboat. XLIX (491): 148. Spring 1985. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ "Ceremonies". The Lifeboat. XLIX (493): 238. Autumn 1985. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ "The Last Rigid Inshore Lifeboat In RNLI Service Was the Boston Whaler A513 Sam and Iris Coles". The Lifeboat. 53 (531): 291. Spring 1995. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
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