Operators RNLI In service 1969–1993 | Built 1969–1973 | |
Builders Groves & Guttridge, CowesCamper & Nicholson, Gosport | ||
The Solent-class lifeboat was essentially a steel-hulled version of the 48ft 6in Oakley-class self-righting lifeboat and was sometimes referred to as the Oakley Mark III. Solent Operational Numbers followed on from the first three 48ft 6in Oakleys and were interrupted by the last two Oakleys (48-12 and 48-13). The operational numbers of the Solent-class had three digits in the suffix to indicate a metal hull (as with Clyde, Waveney, Thames, Tyne classes, one Arun class and the first eleven Merseys). Two digits indicates a wooden, GRP or FRC hull.
Contents
Description
Apart from the steel hull the principal difference to the wooden hulled Oakley was the elimination of the complicated water ballast self-righting system; the Solent derived its self-righting capability from its watertight superstructure. The class was the last design of the traditional displacement-type lifeboat to come from the drawing boards of the RNLI. There were (unofficial) Mark I and Mark II versions of the class, the first eight boats having a vertical steering wheel with wheelhouse access via sliding doors at the forward end of the wheelhouse on each side, while the last three has a seated steering position with hinged wheelhouse doors at the after end of the wheelhouse. The Mark II entered service in 1972. The first four boats (ON 1007-1010) and the last three (ON 1019-1021) were built at Cowes by Groves & Guttridge. The second four (ON 1011-1014) were built at Gosport by Camper & Nicholson.
Propulsion
The Solent was powered by twin 110 bhp Gardner 6LX diesel engines which gave the boat a top speed of 9.5 knots (10.9 mph). There were twin spade rudders installed which were coupled to Mathway manual steering gear which gave this class a much better manoeuvrability than earlier classes of lifeboats.