Atlantic 21-class lifeboat

The Atlantic 21 Inshore lifeboat was the first generation rigid inflatable boat (RIB), in the B-class series of Inshore lifeboats, that were operated around the shores of the British Isles and the Channel Islands by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), between 1972 and 2008.[1]

Falmouth Round Table (B-595) during Falmouth Lifeboat Day, August 2006.
Class overview
NameB class (Atlantic 21)
BuildersInshore Lifeboat Centre, Cowes
Operators Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Preceded byC class
Succeeded byB class (Atlantic 75)
Built1969–1994
In service1972–2007
Completed96
Lost1
Retired95
Preserved1
General characteristics
TypeLifeboat
Displacement1.4 tonnes
Length7.21 m (23 ft 8 in)
Beam2.49 m (8 ft 2 in)
Draught0.81 m (2 ft 8 in)
Propulsion2 × 70 hp (52 kW) 2-stroke outboard engines
Speed32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph)
Endurance3 hours
Capacity22
Complement3

The Inshore boat was designed at Atlantic College in South Wales, the birthplace of the RIB, after which the craft is named. The college was also one of nine locations where the RNLI first established lifeboat stations using smaller inshore watercraft. Atlantic College Lifeboat Station was operated by the RNLI between 1963 and 2013.[2]

The development of the Atlantic 21 resulted in the larger Atlantic 75-class, with production beginning in 1993. The Atlantic 75 gradually replaced the Atlantic 21, with the majority of the ninety-six Atlantic 21 lifeboats retired from service by 2006. Just a handful remained on service into 2007 and 2008, with the last two Atlantic 21 lifeboats, at Enniskillen Lifeboat Station (Upper and Lower), both withdrawn from operational duties on 26 February 2008.[1][3]

Description

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The Atlantic 21 can be launched from a davit, carriage or floating boathouse depending on the location of the station and the available facilities.

The lifeboat is a rigid inflatable boat (RIB), with the hull constructed of Fibre-reinforced plastic, subdivided into water-tight compartments, and manufactured at Halmatic Ltd. of Havant. The boats are then fitted out at the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Centre in at East Cowes, Isle of Wight. A roll-bar is fitted above the engines, which carries an inflatable air-bag for self-righting, which can be inflated by a crew-member from a gas bottle should the boat capsize.[4]

The boat carries a variety of equipment which includes two VHF radios, first aid kit and oxygen, GPS navigation system, night vision equipment, self-righting system, anchor and various warps, toolkit, towing system, illuminating and distress pyrotechnics, spotlight, torches.[4]

Atlantic 21 Fleet

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Atlantic 21 B-526 alongside Atlantic 75 B-713 in 2005
 
Atlantic 21 B-582 in Poole Harbour in 2007
 
Atlantic 21 B-584 on exercise in Bangor Bay in 2006
 
Atlantic 21 B-592 on Lough Erne in 2004
Op.No.[a] Name In Service[5] Station Comments
B-500 Unnamed[b] 1970
1970
1970
1972
1972
1972–1973
1973
1973–1977
Hartlepool
Mudeford
Lyme Regis
Littlehampton
Largs
Appledore
Littlehampton
Relief fleet
First Atlantic 21 (Prototype), trialled at various locations.
Now on display at the RNLI Heritage Collection, Chatham Historic Dockyard
B-501 Unnamed 1970–1973
1973
1973–1977
Relief fleet
Lyme Regis
Relief fleet
B-502 Unnamed 1970–1972 Trials
B-503 Unnamed 1972–1975
1975–1981
Hartlepool
Relief fleet
B-504 Blue Peter I 1972–1973 Littlehampton
B-505 Major Osman Gabriel 1972–1975
1975–1979
1979–1980
1980–1981
Queensferry
Relief fleet
Silloth
Atlantic College
B-506 Unnamed 1972–1976
1976–1978
1978
1978–1981
West Mersea
Relief fleet
Staithes and Runswick
Relief fleet
B-507 Unnamed 1972. Built for KNRM. Named Griende. In service until 2005
B-508 Unnamed 1973–1980 Atlantic College
B-509 Unnamed 1973–1981
1981–1985
New Brighton
Relief fleet
B-510 Unnamed 1973. Built for KNRM. Named Tuimelaar.
B-511 Co-Operative No.1 1973
1975–1979
1981–1982
1982
1982–1985
1985–1989
1989–1997
Largs
Hayling Island
Newbiggin
Hunstanton
Relief fleet
Clacton-on-Sea
Relief fleet
B-512 U.S.Navy League 1973–1980
1980–1990
1990–1992
1992–1994
1994–1995
1995–1997
1997–1998
1998
1998–1999
1999–2001
2001–2009
Lyme Regis
Relief fleet
Walmer
Relief fleet
Bundoran
Relief fleet
Weymouth
Clifden
Relief fleet
Sligo Bay
Publicity fleet
Damaged by vandals and scrapped
B-513 William McCunn and Broom Church Youth Fellowship 1973–1980
1980–1988
1988–1990
1990–1997
Largs
Relief fleet
Bangor
Relief fleet
B-514 Guide Friendship 1 1974–1983
1983–1984
1984–1985
1986
1986–1991
1991–1992
1992–2000
Aberdovey
Relief fleet
Clacton-on-Sea
Redcar
Relief fleet
Cullercoats
Relief fleet
Now with ICE-SAR
B-515 Blue Peter II
V E Webber
1976–1985
1985–1992
1992–1993
1993–1994
1994–1996
1996
1996–2000
Beaumaris
Relief fleet
Port Erin
Flamborough
Relief fleet
Penarth
Relief fleet
Now with ICE-SAR
B-516 Whitstable Branch 1974–1983
1983–1990
Whitstable
Relief fleet
B-517 Blue Peter I 1973–1974 Littlehampton
B-518 Sole Bay 1973–1985
1985–1987
1987–1988
1988–1990
Southwold
Relief fleet
Falmouth
Relief fleet
Now privately owned at St Helens, Isle of Wight
B-519 Surrey Forester 1973–1986
1986–1990
Lymington
Relief fleet
B-520 Wildenrath Whizzer 1974–1986
1986–1990
1990–1993
1993–2005
Appledore
Redcar
Relief fleet
Publicity fleet
B-521 Mary Livingstone 1975–1981
1981–1984
1984
1984–1994
Queensferry
Relief fleet
Ramsgate
Relief fleet
B-522 Unnamed 1974. Built for KNRM. Named Dolfijn.
B-523 Blue Peter I
Unnamed
1974–1985
1985–1988
1988
1988–1995
1995–1998
Littlehampton
Relief fleet
Kirkcudbright
Relief fleet
Inshore Lifeboat Centre
Now named Bay Mermaid I with Cardiff Harbour Authority
B-524 Unnamed 1974. Built for KNRM
B-525 Unnamed
Spix's Macaw
1974–1975
1975
1975–1979
1979–1980
1980–1988
1988–1991
1991–1993
1993
1993–1998
1998
1998–1999
1999
1999–2001
2001
2001–2002
2002–2004
Relief fleet
Blackpool
Relief fleet
Hayling Island
Relief fleet
Kirkcudbright
Relief fleet
Kilkeel
Relief fleet
Weymouth
Relief fleet
Sligo Bay
Relief fleet
Sligo Bay
Relief fleet
Enniskillin Upper
B-526 Unnamed
In 2010 Re-Named LSV 001
1974–1978
1978–1987
1987–1995
1995
1997–1998
1998–2002
2002–2009
Relief fleet
Harwich
Relief fleet
Hayling Island
Clacton-on-Sea
Relief fleet
Training fleet
LifeSaving Victoria, AU, VMR900 Mornington & Hastings, AU.
2010 - Transferred to Lifesaving Victoria (Melbourne, Australia)
2013 - Operated by VMR Mornington & Hastings - Volunteer Marine Rescue Inc - (Mornington, Australia)
B-527 Percy Garon
(Civil Service)
1976–1986
1986–1996
1996
1996–1998
1998
Southend-on-Sea
Relief fleet
Red Bay
Relief fleet
Arran (Lamlash)
Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society
B-528 Unnamed 1975–1976
1976–1978
1978–1982
1982
1982–1998
1998
1998–2000
Relief fleet
Blackpool
Relief fleet
Hunstanton
Relief fleet
Helvick Head
Relief fleet
B-529 Alexander Duckham 1976–1987
1988–1990
1991–1993
1993–2000
West Mersea
Mudeford
Falmouth
Relief fleet
B-530 Himley Hall 1975–1981
1981–1985
1985–1989
1989–1993
Eastney
Relief fleet
Macduff
Relief fleet
B-531 Foresters 1975–1988
1988–1993
1993–1994
1994–1995
1995
1996
1996–1998
1998
1998–2001
2001
2001–2002
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston
Relief fleet
Criccieth
Relief fleet
Lough Swilly
Galway
Relief fleet
Clovelly
Relief fleet
Sligo Bay
Relief fleet
2002–2011 with Poole Harbour Commission
2011–present with Aegir Nautical
B-532 Guide Friendship III 1976–1986
1986–1998
Hartlepool
Relief fleet
Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society
B-533 Unnamed 1976–1988
1988–1990
1990–1991
1991–1992
1992–1993
1993–1995
1995
1995–1996
1996
1996–1998
Littlestone-on-Sea
Relief fleet
Teignmouth
Relief fleet
Kilkeel
Relief fleet
Kinghorn
Relief fleet
Galway
Relief fleet
B-534 Unnamed 1975. Reported to have been sold to MOD
B-535 R.A.O.B.
Unnamed
1975–1976
1976–1992
1992–1995
1995–1997
Hartlepool
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Relief fleet
Kyle of Lochalsh
1997–2010 with Ballybunion Sea & Cliff Rescue as Clara T.
2011–present in private ownership in Szczecin, Poland named Aga B used for pleasure, training and safety boat (also cooperating with local volunteer rescue services)
B-536 Unnamed 1976–1989
1989–1992
1992–1994
1994–1997
1997
1997–1999
Peel
Relief fleet
Sheringham
Relief fleet
Helvick Head
Relief fleet
B-537 Unnamed 1976–1978
1978–1979
1979–1983
1983–1984
1984–1986
1986–1988
1988–1999
Relief fleet
Blackpool
Relief fleet
Youghal
Relief fleet
St Abbs
Relief fleet
B-538 Lord Brotherton 1978–1989
1989–1990
1990
Staithes and Runswick
Relief fleet
Teignmouth
B-539 Lions International District 105 SE 1978–1989
1989–1990
1990–1991
1991–1994
1994
1994–1995
1995
1995–1998
Brighton
Relief fleet
St Catherine
Relief fleet
Sheringham
Relief fleet
Newquay
Relief fleet
B-540 Wolverhampton 1978–1990
1990–1996
1996
1996–2000
Abersoch
Relief fleet
Trearddur Bay
Relief/Training fleet
Now with ICE-SAR
B-541 Elizabeth Bestwick
Unnamed
1976–1988
1988–1991
1992–1993
1993–1994
1994–1995
1995–1996
1996–1997
Relief fleet
Falmouth
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Falmouth
Hayling Island
Weymouth
Relief fleet
B-542 William Yeo 1976–1987
1987–2003
Relief fleet
Inshore Lifeboat Centre
B-543 Round Table 1978–1990
1990–1996
1996–1997
1997–1998
1998–1999
1999–2001
Helensburgh
Relief fleet
Weymouth
Skerries
Clovelly
Relief fleet
B-544 Catherine Plumbley 1979–1994
1995
1995–1996
1996
1996–1998
Minehead
St Bees
Relief fleet
Weymouth
Relief fleet
Now with ICE-SAR
B-545 Amelia Gregory Armstrong 1980–1995
1995–1998
Silloth
Relief fleet
B-546 Independent Forester Benevolence 1980–1997
1997–1998
Lyme Regis
Relief fleet
Now in Portugal
B-547 Independent Forester Liberty 1980–1998 Largs Now named Káraborg (BB 7482) with ICE-SAR
B-548 Aldershot 1980–1994
1994–1995
1995–1996
1996
1996–1999
Hayling Island
Poole
Relief fleet
Rye Harbour
Relief fleet
1998–?

?–2015 2015–2016 2016–... Finnish Lifeboat Society Unknown Private owner Muhu Maritime Rescue Society Now with Muhu Maritime Rescue Society (Muhu, Saaremaa, Estonia)

B-549 Blenwatch 1981–1996
1996
1996–1997
1997–1998
1998–2001
2001–2003
New Brighton
Porthcawl
Relief fleet
Tighnabruaich
Relief fleet
Enniskillen (Lower)
Now with ICE-SAR
B-550 "City of Portsmouth" 1981–1996
1996–1998
Portsmouth
Relief fleet
1998 - Sold to Finnish Lifeboat Society
Now with Estonian Maritime Rescue Organization (Tallinna Vabatahtlik Merepääste/Tallinn SAR)[citation needed]
B-551 Constance Macnay 1981–1997
1997–1998
1998–1999
Queensferry
Relief fleet
Clifden
Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society
B-552 Unnamed 1981. Built for KNRM. Named Bruinvis, at Ter Heyde, In service until 2006
B-553 Kirklees 1982–1998
1998–1999
1999–2000
Newbiggin
Helvick Head
Relief fleet
2000–2013 named Dove with Sandown & Shanklin Inshore Lifeboat
2013– with Lagan Search and Rescue
B-554 American Ambassador 1982–2000
2000–2001
Atlantic College
Relief fleet
Now in Australia
B-555 Long Life I 1982–1985
1985
1986
1986–1993
1993
1993–1995
1995
1995–1996
1996
Relief fleet
Macduff
Portaferry
Relief fleet
Falmouth
Relief fleet
St Bees
Relief fleet
Kilrush
B-556 Spirit of America 1982–1998
1998–1999
Hunstanton
Relief fleet
Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society
B-557 Weston Centenary 1983–2001 Weston-super-Mare Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society
B-558 Ramsgate Enterprise 1984–2000
2000–2001
Ramsgate
Relief fleet
2002–2007 named St. Brendan with Bantry Inshore Search & Rescue
B-559 Long Life 3 1984–1999
1999–2002
Aberdovey
Relief fleet
Now named Spirit of Tortola at British Virgin Islands
B-560 British Diver 1983–2000 Whitstable
B-561 Marjorie Turner 1984–2002 Youghal Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society
B-562 The Quiver 1985–1998
1998–2001
Southwold
Relief fleet
Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society
B-563 Blue Peter II 1985–2000
2000–2002
Beaumaris
Relief fleet
Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society
B-564 Blue Peter I 1985–2001
2001–2003
Littlehampton
Relief fleet
B-565 Manchester and District XXXII 1986–1997
1997–1998
Appledore
Relief fleet
B-566 Frank and Mary Atkinson 1986–2002 Lymington Now named Willemtje with KNRM
B-567 Percy Garon II 1986–2001
2001–2002
2002
2002–2004
Southend-on-Sea
Relief fleet
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston
Relief fleet
Sold to Chile
B-568 Burton Brewer 1986–2000
2000–2002
2002
2002–2005
2005–2007
2008–2010
Hartlepool
Relief fleet
St Abbs
Relief fleet
Training fleet
Hired to Dorset Police (P-002)
Now with Dorset Police (P-002)
B-569 Blue Peter V
Unnamed
1986–1994
1994–1997
1997–1998
1998–2000
Portaferry
Relief fleet
Helvick Head
Relief/Training fleet
B-570 Himley Hall 1987–2001
2001–2005
West Mersea
Relief fleet
B-571 British Diver II 1987–2002
2002–2006
2006–2021
Harwich
Relief fleet
Training fleet
VMR Mornington, Australia, 2008 - 2016 - Operated by LifeSaving Victoria (Melbourne, Australia)
2016 - 2021 Operated by VMR Mornington - Volunteer Marine Rescue Inc (Mornington, Australia)
2021–Present - In private ownership (Mornington, Australia)
B-572 Dorothy and Kathrine Barr 1988–2001 St Abbs Now with Chilean Lifeboats
B-573 The Lady Dart and Long Life II 1988–2002 Littlestone-on-Sea Now with Chilean Lifeboats
B-574 Joseph B. Press 1988–2002
2002–2007
2007–2008
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston
Relief fleet
Training fleet
B-575 John Batstone 1989–1992
1992–1997
1997–1998
1998–2000
2000–2002
2002–2005
Peel
Relief fleet
Clifden
Relief fleet
Crosshaven
Relief fleet
B-576 Ellis Sinclair 1989–2002
2002–2006
Staithes and Runswick
Relief fleet
B-577 Graham Hillier and Tony Cater 1989–1997
1997–1999
Brighton
Relief fleet
1999–2004 named Sidmouth Herald with Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat
2005–present named Ira with Nisos Yacht Charter in the Ionian Islands, Greece
B-578 The Rotary Club of Glasgow 1989–2006
2006–2008
2008–2010
Macduff
Training fleet
Hired to Dorset Police (P-001)
Sold to Dorset Police (P-001).
Now in private ownership in the Netherlands and named Anna Jacoba
B-579 Institute of London Underwriters 1989–1997
1997–2001
2001–2002
2002–2003
Clacton-on-Sea
Relief fleet
St Abbs
Relief fleet
B-580 Leicester Challenge 1990–2001
2001–2002
2002
2002–2009
Redcar
Sligo Bay
Enniskillen (Upper)
Relief fleet
B-581 Andrew Mason 1990–2002
2002–2004
2004–2008
Helensburgh
Relief fleet
Enniskillin (Upper)
B-582 Borough of Solihull 1990–2002
2002–2007
2007–2008
2008–2009
Abersoch
Relief fleet
Training fleet
Hired Dorset Police (P-003)
2008–2011 with Dorset Police (P-003)
2011 - returned to RNLI
B-583 Ken Derham 1990–2006
2006–2009
Mudeford
Training fleet
2021 Purchased by Safetyboat Services Ltd for use as a safety / rescue boat
B-584 Youth of Ulster 1991–2006 Bangor
B-585 Peter and Grace Ewing 1991–2006 Kirkcudbright
B-586 Clothworker 1991–1998
1998–1999
1999–2001
2001–2002
2002–2004
2004–2007
2007–2009
Relief fleet
Cardigan
Relief fleet
Littlehampton
Relief fleet
Lough Derg
Relief fleet
B-587 Jessie Eliza 1991–2000 St Catherine
B-588 Frank and Dorothy 1991–2006
2006–2008
2008–2009
Teignmouth
Relief fleet
Storage
B-589 James Burgess 1992–2006
2006–2009
Walmer
Training fleet
2009 - Sold to Gardline
B-590 Wolverson X-Ray 1992–1993
1993–1994
1994–1996
1996
1996–1997
1997–2002
2002
2002–2006
2006–2007
2007–2009
Relief fleet
Aberystwyth
Relief fleet
Kilrush
Galway
Relief fleet
Youghal
Relief fleet
Cullercoats
Training fleet
Now named The Dove II with Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat
B-591 Edmund and Joan White 1992–2006
2006–2008
Cullercoats
Enniskillin (Lower)
Now with ICE-SAR in Eskifjordur
B-592 Ernest Armstrong 1992–1998
1998–2001
2001–2003
2003–2006
Relief fleet
Arran (Lamlash)
Relief fleet
Enniskillin (Lower)
B-593 Valerie Hull 1993–2006 Kilkeel 2010–2013 with Oban Sea Cadets
2013–present in private ownership
B-594 Herbert and Edith 1993–2006 Port Erin
B-595 Falmouth Round Table 1994–2007 Falmouth Now with KNRM
  1. ^ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.
  2. ^ Not every Atlantic 21-class lifeboat was given a name

References

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  1. ^ a b "B class Atlantic lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  2. ^ Gaskell, Simon (6 May 2013). "The Welsh home of the RIB waves goodbye to its lifeboat after nearly 50 years". Wales Online. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Enniskillen's station history". Enniskillen Lifeboat Station. RNLI. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  4. ^ a b Atlantic 21 Lifeboat (L3/82 ed.). RNLI. 1982. pp. 1–4.
  5. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2023). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2023. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society.
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