The RNLI has put the future of Broughty Ferry and Arbroath lifeboat stations under a major lifesaving review.
And the decision to take away and All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) from Arbroath has sent shockwaves through the Angus town.
Under plans announced on Friday, Arbroath is to get a B-class inshore Atlantic 85 rigid inflatable boat (RIB).
A Shannon-class ALB will be put on station at the Ferry.
The review outcome was revealed on Friday and has already triggered an Arbroath campaign to fight the proposal.
Arbroath RNLI’s operations manager says the open Atlantic 85 would not be sent to locations like the Bell Rock lighthouse – 11 miles off Arbroath – or Seagreen offshore windfarm – 26 miles away – in a severe storm.
Here, we look at the technical specification of the two lifeboats.
RNLI lifeboats review – Shannon-class ALB
Category: All weather
Cost: £2 – 2.5 million
Crew: Six
Maximum speed: 25 knots
Survivor capacity:
Self-righting – 23
Non-self-righting – 79
Range/endurance: 250 nautical miles
Engines: 2 x 13-litre Scania D13 650hp engines with propulsion from twin Hamilton HJ364 waterjets
Construction: Hull, deck and wheelhouse – composite materials; predominantly epoxy resin film infusion glass sandwich construction, with carbon fibre in areas of high load
Launch type: Carriage, afloat or slipway
No. in fleet: Currently 50 in total, 37 at stations and 13 either in build or repair
RNLI lifeboats review – Atlantic 85 RIB
Category: Inshore Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB)
Cost: £140 – £180,000
Crew: 3-4
Maximum speed: 35 knots
Survivor capacity: 20
Range/endurance: Three hours maximum
Construction: Hull – polyester glass-reinforced fibre, with marine plywood stiffening
Inflatable collar – Hypalon-coated nylon
Engines: 2 x Yamaha 4-stroke engines at 115hp each
Launch type: Carriage, davit or floating boathouse
No. in service: Currently 135 in total, 105 at stations, 5 in training fleet and 25 in build, repair or awaiting disposal.
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