Mersey-class lifeboat
,_July_2025.jpg) 12-22 Ruby Clery (ON 1181) on station at Douglas, July 2025
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Mersey Class |
| Operators |
|
| Preceded by | Rother, Oakley |
| Succeeded by | Shannon, B-class (Atlantic 85) |
| Cost | £350,000 |
| Built | 1987–1993 |
| In service | 1988– |
| Completed | 38 |
| Active | 6 |
| Retired | 31 |
| Preserved | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 14.3 t (14.1 long tons) |
| Length | 11.62 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.0 m (13.1 ft) |
| Draught | 1.02 m (3.3 ft) |
| Propulsion | 2 × 285 hp (213 kW) Caterpillar 3208T diesel engines |
| Speed | 17 knots (20 mph; 31 km/h) |
| Range | 240 nmi (440 km) |
| Endurance | 10.25 hours approx. at cruising speed |
| Capacity | 43 survivors (self-righting up to 21) |
| Complement | 6 |
Mersey-class lifeboats are All-weather lifeboats operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Starting in 1988, 38 of this class of lifeboat would come to operate from stations around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland, but as of July 2025, only two remain on service. Four former RNLI Mersey-class boats are still in service, three operated by ADES Uruguay, and one by Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso in Chile. They are capable of operating at up to 17 knots (31 km/h) and can be launched from a carriage or by slipway.
The class name comes from the River Mersey which flows into the Irish Sea in north west England.
History
[edit]During the 1960s and 1970s the RNLI introduced fast lifeboats capable of considerable greater speeds than the 8 knots (15 km/h) of existing designs. The first of these were only able to be kept afloat as their propellers would be damaged if launched using a slipway or carriage. In 1982 the steel-hulled Tyne-class came into service which could be launched down a slipway but weighed 25 tons so was not suitable for being moved across a beach on a carriage. The answer was to build a smaller boat with an aluminium hull, which became the Mersey Class.[1]
The first, unnamed, Mersey was built in 1986 and undertook trials during 1987 and 1988. It was then taken out of service and sold the following year. It was working as a trip boat in Westport, County Mayo in 2008 carrying the name Spirit. Two more boats were built in 1988, with the first one to take up active service going to Bridlington Lifeboat Station the following year.[2]
In 1989, 12-11 Lifetime Care (ON 1148) was built with a fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) hull. Boats built in 1990 continued to use aluminium but from 1991 FRC became the standard hull material.[2][3]
In 2014, the first of the Shannon-class lifeboats replaced the Mersey lifeboats at Dungeness, Exmouth and Hoylake. The RNLI intended to have 25 knot lifeboats at all offshore lifeboat stations by the end of 2019. However, this target has not been met, with two Mersey-class lifeboats still on station at Douglas and Newcastle (September 2025).
On Wednesday 13 December 2023, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh joined RNLI representatives at Windsor Castle for the handover of RNLB 12-30 Her Majesty The Queen (ON 1189) to the Chatham Historic Dockyard.[4]
Description
[edit]The Mersey is designed to be launched from a carriage, but can also lie afloat or be slipway launched when required. Its propellers are fully protected from damage when launching or in shallow water, by partial tunnels and two bilge keels. Its low height can be further reduced by collapsing its mast and aerials which then allows it to be stored in a boathouse. A sealed cabin gives it a self-righting ability.
Power comes from two 3208T Caterpillar turbo-charged marine diesel engines giving 285 hp at 2,800 rpm. It carries 1,110 litres (290 US gal) of fuel to give it a range of 240 nautical miles (440 km). It has a crew of six and can carry an inflatable X-boat which it can deploy at sea. Its survivor compartment can carry 43 people, but more than 21 prevents self-righting should the boat capsize.[3][5]
Gallery
[edit]-
Launching from a carriage and Talus MB-H amphibious tractor -
Launching from a slipway -
Stern showing the protected propellers -
Engine room
Mersey lifeboat fleet
[edit]RNLI active fleet
[edit]| ON[a] | Op.No.[b] | Name | In service[2] | Station | Launch method | MMSI[6] | Comments[2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1177 | 12-20 | Leonard Kent |
|
|
232002280 | ||
| 1181 | 12-22 | Ruby Clery |
|
|
232002727 |
RNLI retired fleet
[edit]| ON[a] | Op.No.[b] | Name | In service[2] | Station | Launch method | MMSI[6] | Comments[2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1119 | – | – | 1987–1988 | – | – | – | Sold 1989. Named Spirit. At Kilclare, Co.Leitrim, June 2023. |
| 1124 | 12-001 | Peggy and Alex Caird |
|
|
|
– | [Previously 1] Sold October 2023, renamed Life Aquatic 12-001. Private ownership at Lake Champlain, South Hero, Vermont, USA. |
| 1125 | 12-002 | Sealink Endeavour |
|
|
|
– | Sold 2020. Renamed Endeavour. Workboat with Ambrey Shipyards at Hythe Marine, Hampshire, March 2023. |
| 1161 | 12-003 | Doris M Mann of Ampthill | 1990–2023 | Wells-next-the-Sea | Carriage | – | Sold 2023. Private Ownership, Progreso, Yucatán, Mexico, December 2023. |
| 1162 | 12-004 | Royal Shipwright |
|
|
|
232002744 | Sold 2016. Renamed Patricia. Survey Pilot Vessel, laid up at Mostyn Docks, July 2023. |
| 1163 | 12-005 | Lady of Hilbre |
|
|
|
– | Sold 2022. Private Ownership, Medway Bridge Marina, December 2024. |
| 1164 | 12-006 | Andy Pearce |
|
|
|
– | Sold 2019. Renamed Njord. Boat trips/charter at Burwick, Orkney, June 2023. |
| 1165 | 12-007 | Spirit of Derbyshire |
|
|
|
215000129 | Sold 2015. Renamed Mercy. Harbour workboat at Valletta, Malta, November 2024. |
| 1166 | 12-008 | Lincolnshire Poacher |
|
|
|
232003204 | Sold 2021. Renamed Bailiwick Reliance, Private Ownership at St Peter Port. Sold February 2024, Renamed Samuel Wesley. Used for funeral services at Dartmouth, Devon, June 2024. |
| 1167 | 12-009 |
|
|
|
|
232003618 | Sold 1 June 2016. Renamed Ulidia. Workboat with Coleraine Harbour Commissioners, December 2024. |
| 1168 | 12-010 | Lily and Vincent Anthony |
|
|
|
– | Sold November 2023. Renamed Charles Wesley. |
| 1148 | 12-11 | Lifetime Care |
|
|
|
– | Sold 2017. Workboat for McMullen Shellfish, Glenariffe Harbour, Co. Antrim, March 2023 |
| 1169 | 12-12 | Marine Engineer |
|
|
|
– | Sold January 2024. Private Ownership (PUUR), Amsterdam, May 2024 |
| 1170 | 12-13 | Keep Fit Association |
|
|
|
232056713 | Sold May 2024. Renamed Storm Siren II on 21 November 2024. Pilot Boat with Teignmouth Harbour Authority, December 2024.[7] |
| 1171 | 12-14 | Ann and James Ritchie |
|
|
|
250013635 | Sold 2022. Renamed James Stevens. Pilot Boat at New Ross, Wexford, Ireland, December 2024. |
| 1172 | 12-15 | Frank and Lena Clifford of Stourbridge |
|
|
232002726 | ||
| 1173 | 12-16 | Grace Darling | 1991–2020 | Seahouses | Carriage | – | Sold 2021. See ADES Uruguay below. |
| 1174 | 12-17 | Kingdom of Fife |
|
|
|
232002250 | Withdrawn to Relief fleet, 27 August 2024.[8] Sold April 2025 to Wesley group. |
| 1175 | 12-18 | Fanny Victoria Wilkinson and Frank Stubbs |
|
|
|
– | Sold 2018. See Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile below |
| 1176 | 12-19 | The Four Boys |
|
|
|
232020008 | Sold 2018. Renamed The Four Boys of Pendennis. Workboat in Falmouth. Sold ????, Renamed Marieanne. Survey Pilot Vessel at Mostyn Docks, December 2024. |
| 1178 | 12-21 | Margaret Jean |
|
|
|
232002290 | Sold 2020. Renamed Arwen Myrtle. Private ownership, St Peter Port, Guernsey, September 2024. |
| 1182 | 12-23 | Robert Charles Brown |
|
|
|
244071803 | Sold 2019. Renamed Atlantic. Renamed Robert Charles, Privately owned, Friesland, Netherlands, August 2024 |
| 1183 | 12-24 | Lil Cunningham | 1992–2019 | Rhyl | Carriage | 232002741 | Sold 2020. Renamed Ellen Rodger. Workboat with Calypso Marine, Burntisland, Fife, April 2024 |
| 1184 | 12-25 | Bingo Lifeline | 1992–2020 | Relief fleet | – | 232002573 | Sold 2021. See ADES Uruguay below. |
| 1185 | 12-26 | Moira Barrie | 1992–2019 | Barmouth | Carriage | 232030482 | Sold 2020. Renamed Arwen. Ferry Boat for Western Isles Cruises, Mallaig. Sold ????, Renamed MV Acua Ocean. Workboat for ACUA Ocean Ltd, operating from Plymouth, Devon, December 2024. |
| 1186 | 12-27 | Pride and Spirit |
|
|
– | Sold 2021. See ADES Uruguay below. | |
| 1187 | 12-28 | Mary Margaret |
|
|
|
– | Sold 2023. Renamed Pisces, March 2024. Private ownership, Yarmouth, IOW, December 2024. |
| 1188 | 12-29 | Eleanor and Bryant Girling |
|
|
|
244729436 | Sold 2022. Renamed The Mersey (3-YG-894). Privately owned in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, November 2023.[9] |
| 1189 | 12-30 | Her Majesty The Queen |
|
|
|
– | 15 November 2023, On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard[4] Returned to RNLI HQ at Poole, February 2025. |
| 1190 | 12-31 | Doris Bleasdale | 1993–2019 | Clogherhead | Carriage | 232031477 | Sold 2020. Renamed Knot on Call, December 2022. Pleasure boat at Tenby, Pembrokeshire. Sold April 2025, Pilot boat at Glasson Dock. |
| 1191 | 12-32 | Joy and Charles Beeby |
|
|
|
– | Sold July 2024. Renamed John Wesley. Based in Dartmouth, Devon for use in offshore funeral services. |
| 1192 | 12-33 | Fisherman's Friend |
|
|
|
232002576 | Sold 2020. Survey Vessel, Galway, Ireland, Crosshaven, March 2024. |
| 1193 | 12-34 | Freddie Cooper |
|
|
|
232003208 | Withdrawn to Relief fleet, 14 October 2024. RNLI announced final departure of Aldeburgh Mersey ALB following a service at 13:30 on 27 October 2024.[10] Sold Feb 2025. |
| 1194 | 12-35 | Inchcape |
|
Arbroath | Slipway | – | ALB withdrawn from Arbroath, 17 March 2024.[11] Sold 2024. Renamed Emilia Wesley and based at Portland Marina, used for funeral services. |
| 1195 | 12-36 | Royal Thames |
|
|
|
– | Sold Jan 2021. Renamed Sea Searcher. Survey Safety Vessel with deeperdorset.co.uk, October 2022. Sold ????. Survey Safety / Dive Vessel at Holyhead, August 2024 |
| 1196 | 12-37 | Sylvia Burrell | 1993–2018 | Girvan | Afloat | – | Sold August 2021. Renamed Ailsa Craig. At Island Harbour Marina, IOW or Portsmouth, April 2022. |
Uruguay
[edit]ADES Uruguay is an Honorary Lifesaving Institution founded in 1955. All our volunteers are honorary, people who train weekly to go to sea with the sole purpose of helping whoever requests help. The rescues have no cost to the beneficiaries. At the national level ADES Uruguay is part of the National Emergency Committee and at the international level it is part of the IMRF (International Maritime Rescue Federation)[12]
| RNLI ON | Name | In Service[2] | Station | MMSI[6] | Comments[2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1173 | ADES 28 Grace Darling | 2021– | Colonia del Sacramento | 232002240 | |
| 1184 | ADES 29 BROU 125 Anniversario | 2021– | Montevideo | 232002573 | |
| 1186 | ADES 30 | 2021– | Punta del Este | 232003202 |
Chile
[edit]Operated by Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile
| RNLI ON | Name | In Service[2] | Station | Comments[2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1175 | Valparaiso IV | 2018– | Valparaiso | Images of 12-28 in Chile are here, still in near RNLI colours. |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Sold 2015, Renamed Mersey Rose with Needles Pleasure Cruises. 2017, Renamed Orange Apex, with Orange Force Marine Ltd and Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel, Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada.
References
[edit]- ^ Wake-Walker, Edward; Deane, Heather; Purches, Georgette (1989). Lifeboat! Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Shepperton: Ian Allan. pp. 38–43. ISBN 0711018359.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2025). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 64–69.
- ^ a b Wake-Walker, Edward (2008). The Lifeboats Story. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. p. 69. ISBN 9780750948586.
- ^ a b "HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh joins RNLI for retirement of HM The Queen lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "Mersey class lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "Marine Traffic".
- ^ "Naming and Blessing of new Pilot boat "Storm Siren II"". Teignmouth Harbour Commission. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
- ^ Macnamara, Martin (27 August 2024). "After 33 years in Scotland, the Mersey-class lifeboat bows out in Anstruther". RNLI. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "Marine Traffic The Mersey". Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Litt, Jo (7 October 2024). "Aldeburgh RNLI to bid farewell to 'Freddie Cooper' with fitting send off". RNLI. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ Macnamara, Martin (15 March 2024). "Arbroath RNLI bid farewell to the Mersey-class lifeboat after 30 years' service". RNLI. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "ADES Uruguay". Retrieved 27 November 2023.
External links
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