Preceded by Mersey class lifeboat Built 2012- | Cost £1.5m In service Spring 2013 | |
 | ||
Operators | ||
The Shannon-class lifeboat (previously FCB2 – Fast Carriage Boat 2) is the latest class of lifeboat currently being deployed to the RNLI fleet to serve the shores of the British Isles. The Shannon class is intended to replace the Mersey class carriage-launched lifeboat and, with the completion of the Tamar build programme, the remaining Tyne-class lifeboats.
Contents
History
The experimental boat, named Effseabee Too underwent sea trials during 2005–2008. It is based on a Camarc Pilot vessel design, with a fibre reinforced composite hull, powered by twin water jets. It had a top speed of approximately 30 knots (56 km/h), but was planned to be rated down to 25–27 knots when the final design was put into production. In 2008, FCB2 development was delayed due to hull shape issues, as trials showed crews would be subjected to unacceptable shocks and excessive horizontal shaking in high seas. The RNLI indicated that the project would be extended by at least three more years to research a new hull shape.
The Shannon class uses similar Systems and Information Management System (SIMS) technology to that of the Tamar class lifeboat so that crew members can operate all of the boat's systems collaboratively without leaving their seats. Crew seats are also similar to the Tamar, sprung to reduce the shocks in heavy seas. In April 2009 it was announced a new hull had been chosen. The Shannon class prototype boat was completed late 2011 when active service was expected to start in mid-2013.
In April 2011 it was announced the class would be named after the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. This is the first time that the name of an Irish river has been used for a class of RNLI lifeboat.
After boatyard acceptance in March 2012 the first of the fleet went through sea acceptance trials in 2012. All hulls are moulded by SAR Composites and up to ON1318 were fitted out by Berthon Boat Co of Lymington. From ON1319 fitting out will be progressively switched to the RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat Centre at Poole, to which hull moulding will also eventually be transferred.
Service
The first Shannon-class to be delivered for service was demonstrated at Dungeness, Kent on 21 February 2014. The boat, to begin active service the following month, has been named The Morrell in honour of Barbara Morrell, a keen fundraiser for the RNLI who bequested the service £6m which she asked to be used for a lifeboat for Kent.
Further Shannons will go on station at Hoylake, Ilfracombe, Llandudno, Lowestoft, Montrose, Scarborough, Skegness, Selsey, St Ives and Swanage. Other stations are yet to be confirmed.