 RNLI hovercraft H001Molly Rayner in 2005 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | H-class rescue hovercraft |
| Builders | Griffon Hoverwork |
| Operators |  Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) |
| Preceded by | None |
| Built | 2002–2009 |
| In service | 2002–present |
| Completed | 7 |
| Active | 7 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 3.86 tonnes |
| Length | 8.04 m (26.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.36 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draught | N/A |
| Propulsion | 2 × VW 1.9 turbo diesels |
| Speed | 30knots (35 mph; 56 km/h) |
| Endurance | 3 hours |
| Capacity | 10 |
| Complement | 2–4 |
TheH-class lifeboat is actually a rescuehovercraft, deployed around theUnited Kingdom, as a part of theRNLI inshore fleet.
A modified Type 470TD design, built byGriffon Hoverwork, they were developed to operate on intertidalmudflats andsand, such asMorecambe Bay, in waters too shallow for normal craft, where strandings by incoming tides can have fatal consequences.[1]
A Hovercraft was first assigned toMorecambe in 2002, followed byHunstanton in 2003, and atSouthend-on-Sea andNew Brighton in 2004. In 2016, the New Brighton Hovercraft H-005Hurley Spirit was reassigned toHoylake.[2]
In 2023, trials were carried out by the RNLI, assisted by the team at Hoylake station, to evaluate different crafts being considered as a potential successor to the current hovercraft.[3]
The hovercraft is manufactured byGriffon Hoverwork ofSouthampton, and is a modification of the standard 450TD, now designated the 470TD. This resulted in an increased length, greater stability, buoyancy and thrust, and decreased noise levels.[4]
The hull is constructed from marine-grade aluminium, with the superstructure and fan ducts manufactured from mouldedFRC. The body of the hovercraft is 7.5 m (25 ft) in length, with the skirt bring the total length to 8.05 m (26.4 ft). The craft is powered by twinVolkswagen AVM 1.9 litre inline 4-cylinder turbocharged 84-hp diesel engines, and can achieve a maximum speed of 30 knots. The engines supply power both to provide air-pressure under the hull to lift the craft, and also to provide thrust through the fans mounted at the rear.[1][4]
| Op.No.[a] | Name | In service[2] | Principal Station | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H-001 | Molly Rayner | 2002– | Relief fleet | [5] |
| H-002 | The Hurley Flyer | 2002– | Morecambe | [6] |
| H-003 | 2003– | Hunstanton | [7] | |
| H-004 | Vera Ravine | 2004– | Southend-on-Sea | [8] |
| H-005 | Hurley Spirit |
| [9] | |
| H-006 | John Russell | 2005– | Relief fleet | [10] |
| H-007 | Samburgh | 2009– | Relief fleet |
