Arun-class lifeboat
Class overview
Builders
  • 52-01/2, 54-03 William Osborne, Littlehampton
  • Others, hulls moulded by Halmatic Ltd. Fitted out by:
  • William Osbourne
  • Halmatic
  • W.A Souter
  • Fairey Marine
  • Berthon Boat Co.
  • Robsons
Operators
Preceded byWaveney
Succeeded bySevern
Cost£128,000 (52-01) – £640,000 (52-46)
Built1971–1990
In service1971–2008
Completed46
Active12
Laid up2
Lost1
Retired30
Preserved1
General characteristics
TypeLifeboat
Displacement32 long tons (33 t)
Length52 or 54 ft (16 or 16 m)
Beam17 ft (5.2 m)
Draught5 ft (1.5 m)
Propulsion
  • 52-02 to 52-14: 2 x 460 bhp (340 kW) Caterpillar D343 6-cylinder
  • 52-15 to 52-46: 2 x 485 bhp (362 kW) Caterpillar 3408TA V-8
Speed18.5 knots (34.3 km/h; 21.3 mph)
Range250 nmi (460 km; 290 mi)
Complement6

The Arun-class lifeboat was a fast all-weather lifeboat designed by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for service at its stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland. They were operated by the RNLI between 1971 and 2008. Many have been sold to see further service in the lifeboat and coastguard services of other countries.

The class takes its name from the River Arun in Sussex, England.

History

The RNLI's first lifeboat capable of speeds in excess of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) was the 14-knot (26 km/h; 16 mph) Waveney-class boats introduced in 1967. This was based on an American design, but in 1971 it was supplemented by the Arun class which was designed by the RNLI and gave vastly improved accommodation and increased the speed to 18.5 knots (34.3 km/h; 21.3 mph).[1]

The first prototype boat entered service at St Peter Port in 1972 but moved on to Barry Dock where it was stationed until 1997. Two more boats were introduced in 1973 and 1974 and then full production started in 1975 although small numbers of Waveney-class boats were still built until 1982. By 1990, 46 Arun-class boats had been launched. The following year saw the launch of the first 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) Severn- and Trent-class boats.[2]

The three prototype boats were withdrawn between 1994 and 1997, the third of which then went on display at the National Lifeboat Museum. The production series boats were taken out of regular service between 1998 and 2007. While a few have found new uses around the coast of Great Britain, the majority have been sold to other lifeboat operators around the world, predominantly in China, Finland and Iceland[2] and some further boats were built new for service in Canada and Greece.[3] Those travelling long distances go as deck cargo on larger ships but those going to closer harbours are generally sailed across under their own power. The first boat to go to Iceland, Richard Evans, was loaded as deck cargo on a container ship but was washed overboard during the passage – the only Arun to have been lost at sea.[4]

After their RNLI service, 35 boats joined other fleets to continue their service as lifeboats. As of Dec 2023, it is thought that 12 are still in service, with 2 under restoration.

Design

The design was developed for the RNLI by J.A. MacLachlan working for naval architects G.L. Watson of Glasgow. Initially proposed with chines along the hull to disperse the spray and improve stability when underway at speed, this caused a high deck above water which proved difficult when trying to get people aboard from the water, so the chines were dispensed with on the second boat and the deck curved down nearer the water.[5] The first three boats were built with wooden hulls[6] and were respectively 51 feet 7 inches (15.72 m), 52 feet (16 m) and 54 feet (16 m) long, the extra length due to a rounded transom. All differed in superstructure design, 52-01 having a raked back superstructure front with the flying bridge at the after end. 52-02 introduced forward raked wheelhouse windscreens, had a unique wheelhouse side window pattern and retained the aft mounted flying bridge. On 52-03, the flying bridge was moved to the forward end of the wheelhouse, the front of which was rounded. From 54-04, the forward flying bridge was standardised and the forward raked wheelhouse windscreens were reintroduced. The side windows were recessed from the superstructure sides. 54-04 had a Glass Reinforce Plastic hull and this was standardised for future boats. 54-04 to 54-07 retained the rounded transon but from 52-08 a square transom was reintroduced. The final external change came with 52-11 which had flush sided forward wheelhouse windows and this was a feature of all subsequent boats. In 1986 52-030 (ON 1100) became the only steel-hulled Arun. It was regarded as the best of the class for seakeeping, although the slowest.[citation needed] The GRP hulls were moulded in blue material in the outer skin. After a while it was found that water was accumulating in the fibreglass which added up to two tons to the weight. The boats had the coloured layer stripped off and replaced by a new one made with clear gel which reduced the amount of water absorbed.[5]

The interior of the upper rear cabin

The large watertight cabin gave it self-righting capability. Two survivor cabins are situated below decks where first aid and emergency equipment is stowed. The hull is divided into 26 watertight compartments as protection against sinking should it be holed. There is also a flying bridge above the main cabin with an auxiliary steering position which can be used when additional height or visibility is required during an operation. The boat won a Design Council award in 1982.[6]

Two Caterpillar D343 460 hp (340 kW) diesel engines were fitted to boats up 52-14, subsequent boats being fitted with two Caterpillar 3408TA 485 hp (362 kW) . Fuel tanks have 620-imperial-gallon (2,800 L; 740 US gal) capacity which gives an operating range of 250 nautical miles (460 km; 290 mi).[6]

RNLI fleet

ON[a] Op. No.[b] Name Built In service Principal stations Comments[7]
1018 52-01 Arun 1971 1972–1973
1974–1997 		St Peter Port
Barry Dock 		Sold 1997.
Renamed Arun Adventurer, commercial use at Dundee.
December 2022, pleasure boat, Roermond, Limburg, Netherlands[7]
Sold 2023
1025 52-02 Sir William Arnold 1973 1973–1997 St Peter Port Gold Medal Service, rescue of 29, Motor ship ‘Bonita’ on 13 December 1981.[8]
Sold 1998, Pleasure boat at Cork until 2014. Sold 2019, returned to name Sir William Arnold.
June 2022, Floating education experience at Heybridge Basin, Essex[7]
1037 54-03 Edward Bridges
(Civil Service No. 37) 		1974 1975–1994 Torbay On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard from April 1996
1049 54-04 Tony Vandervell 1976 1975–1999 Weymouth Sold 1999.
Finnish Lifeboat Institution PR Mac Elliot
1050 54-05 B.P. Forties 1975 1975–1998 Aberdeen Sold 1998.
Iceland SAR 2310
1051 54-06 The Gough Ritchie 1976 1976–1998 Port St Mary Sold 1998.
Chile SAR CB-8891
1052 54-07 City of Bradford IV 1976 1977–1987
1991–1998 		Humber
Tobermory 		Gold Medal Service, Rescue of 4, Panamanian motor vessel Revi 14 February 1979. [9]
Sold 1998.
Ship's tender in Sweden/Finland
1053 52-08 Joy and John Wade 1977 1977–2001 Yarmouth Sold 2002.
Iceland SAR 2542
1056 52-09 Spirit of Tayside 1978 1978–1999 Broughty Ferry Sold 1999.
Australia SAR PS40
1057 52-10 Soldian 1978 1978–1997
1998–1999
1999–2001 		Lerwick
Achill Island
Relief fleet 		Sold 2002.
Iceland SAR 2541
1058 52-11 Elizabeth Ann 1979 1979–2001 Falmouth Sold 2002.
Australia SAR Ulladulla 30
1059 52-12 Walter and Margaret Couper 1979 1979–2001 Campbeltown Sold 2001.
June 2002, Finnish Lifeboat Institution SAR-vessel Arvinsilmä and later Russarö.
1061 52-13 George and Olive Turner 1980 1980–2000 Tynemouth Sold 2000.
Iceland SAR 2474
1062 52-14 Edith Emilie 1980 1980–1999 Relief fleet Sold 1999.
Pilot boat at Montrose
August 2021, Unaltered Workboat Mare Rosa at Mgarr harbour, Gozo, Malta[7]
1067 52-15 Hyman Winstone 1980 1980–1985
1985–1998
1998–2002 		Relief fleet
Ballycotton
Relief fleet 		Sold 2003.
Madeira SAR, name unknown.
1070 52-16 Richard Evans
(Civil Service No. 39) 		1981 1981–2000
2000–2003 		Portrush
Relief fleet 		Sold 2003 to Iceland SAR but wrecked during delivery.
1071 52-17 Sir Max Aitken 1981 1981–2002 Relief fleet Sold 2003.
Renamed RSC Maximus, MOD Pendine Range Safety Vessel
Sold 2019, Renamed Harvest Moon.
Mar 2021, Converted to live-aboard, Port Medway Marina, Kent[7]
1073 52-18 Robert Edgar 1981 1981–1997
1997–2002 		St Mary's
Relief fleet 		Sold 2003.
2021 purchased by Skipper Training NZ for training commercial mariners, Nelson, New Zealand, named 52-18, still in RNLI livery[7]
1076 52-19 Marie Winstone 1981 1981–1994
1995–2002 		Fishguard
Torbay 		Sold 2002.
Finnish Lifeboat Institution SAR-vessel PR Torbay
1077 52-20 Duchess of Kent 1982 1982–2002 Relief fleet Sold 2003.
Madeira (Portugal) SAR, renamed Salvador do Mar.[7]
1078 52-21 The Davina and Charles Matthew Hunter 1982 1982–2001
2001–2003 		Mallaig
Relief fleet 		Sold 2003.
Iceland SAR 2593
1081 52-22 Ralph and Bonella Farrant 1982 1982–1994
1994–1999
1999–2003 		Relief fleet
Fenit
Relief fleet 		Sold 2005.
China SAR Hua Ying 393
1082 52-23 Margaret Frances Love 1982 1983–1996
1997–2003 		Valentia
Barry Dock 		Sold 2005.
China SAR Hua Ying 398
1085 52-24 Mabel Alice 1982 1983–2003
2003 		Penlee
Relief fleet 		Sold 2004.
Renamed Strathclyde, with Strathclyde Police.
Trip boat at Portishead.
November 2021, Renamed Mabel Alice, Pilot/Lifeboat at Puerto Natales, Chile[7]
1086 52-25 A.J.R. & L.G. Uridge 1983 1983–2003 Relief fleet Sold 2003.
Finnish Lifeboat Institution SAR-vessel PR Hebe
1092 52-26 St Brendan 1984 1984–2001 Rosslare Harbour Sold 2003.
Renamed Irish Mist.
December 2022, Private Ownership, Ramsey, IOM
1093 52-27 Charles Brown 1984 1984–2005 Buckie Sold 2005.
China SAR Hua Ying 396
1098 52-28 Sir Max Aitken II 1984 1984–1999
1999–2004
2004–2005 		Stornoway
Longhope
Relief fleet 		Sold 2005.
China SAR Hua Ying 385
1099 52-29 The Joseph Rothwell Sykes and Hilda M 1984 1984–1998
1998–2002 		Stromness
Relief fleet 		Sold 2002.
Finnish Lifeboat Institution SAR-vessel PR Janne Malén
1100 52-030 Snolda 1986 1986–1998
1998–2007 		Aith
Relief fleet 		Sold 2007.
Iceland SAR 2743
1103 52-31 Newsbuoy 1984 1984–2004
2002–2003
2003–2004 		Relief fleet
Plymouth
Relief fleet 		Sold 2005.
Faroe Islands SAR XPZX
1106 52-32 Keith Anderson 1985 1985–1999
1999-2003 		Newhaven
Relief fleet 		Sold 2006.
China SAR Hua Ying 394
1107 52-33 City of Belfast 1985 1985–2003 Donaghadee Sold 2005.
China SAR Huaying 395
1108 52-34 Margaret Russell Fraser 1984 1986–2002
2002–2004 		Relief fleet
Calshot 		Sold 2004.
Iceland SAR 2638
1113 52-35 City of Dublin 1986 1986–2003 Howth Sold 2004.
Iceland SAR 2629
1118 52-36 Roy and Barbara Harding 1987 1987–1997
1997–2004 		Galway Bay
Castletownbere 		Sold 2004.
Iceland SAR 2623
1123 52-37 Kenneth Thelwall 1987 1987–1997
1997–2003
2003–2004 		Humber
Holyhead
Relief fleet 		Sold 2005.
China SAR Hua Ying 399
1134 52-38 City of Glasgow III 1987 1987–2005 Troon Sold 2005.
Iceland SAR 2679
1135 52-39 Mickie Salvensen 1988 1988–1998
1998–2000
2000–2003
2003–2006 		Kirkwall
Aberdeen
Relief fleet
Barry Dock 		Sold 2006.
Iceland SAR 2681
1136 52-40 City of Plymouth 1987 1988–2004 Plymouth Sold 2004.
Iceland SAR 2637
1143 52-41 Ann Lewis Fraser 1988 1988–1998
1998–2003
2003–2004 		Barra Island
Tobermory
Relief fleet 		Sold 2005.
China SAR Hua Ying 392
1144 52-42 Murray Lornie 1988 1989–2005 Lochinver Sold 2005.
Iceland SAR 2683
1149 52-43 The Queen Mother 1989 1989–2009 Thurso Sold 2009.
Montevideo Pilot Association, Uruguay as Ederra 4[10]
1150 52-44 Hibernia 1989 1989–2007 Relief fleet Sold 2007.
China SAR Hua Ying 390
1159 52-45 Mabel Williams 1990 1990–1998
1998–2007 		Ballyglass
Relief fleet 		Sold 2007.
China SAR Hua Ying 391
1160 52-46 Duke of Atholl 1990 1990–1999
1999–1999
1999–2003
2003–2004
2004–2008 		Relief fleet
Weymouth
Relief fleet
Hartlepool
Relief fleet 		Sold 2007.
Iceland SAR 2742
  1. ^ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. ^ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

Other fleets

Australia

Operated by the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, later Marine Rescue NSW

RNLI ON Name ID In Service Station[2] MMSI[11] Comments
1056 PV Danial Thain PS40 1999–2017 Port Stephens 503277900 Danial Thain owned by ECA Maritime College based in Brisbane, Queensland.[12]
1058 P&O Nedlloyd Encounter
Encounter 		Ulladulla 30 2002–2013 Ulladula 503003630 Pleasure/CG Boat, Hope Island Marina, Queensland[7]

Canada

CCGS Sambro
CCGS Spray

Ten 15.77-metre (51.7 ft) boats were built for the Canadian Coast Guard[3] between 1989 and 1996.
The first, a GRP-hulled British-built prototype (CCGS Bickerton) was built by Halmatic, Southampton.[13]
The remaining 9 boats were all built in Canada by Industrie Raymond Ltée of Sept-Iles, Quebec; East Isle Shipyard Ltd. of Georgetown, Prince Edward Island; and Hike Metals & Shipbuilding Ltd. of Wheatley, Ontario, all with aluminium hulls. They are considered "high endurance" lifeboats staffed by a crew of four.

The Canadian Coast Guard also maintains approximately three dozen smaller Cape-class motor lifeboats.[14] They are considered "medium endurance" lifeboats.

CCGS ON [15] Name Call Sign In Service Station MMSI[11] Comments
825043 Bickerton CG3011 1989–2022 Bickerton East, NS 316001619 Decommissioned. November 2023, at Samsons shipyard, Petit De Grat in Cape Breton, For Sale
815532 Spindrift CG2260 1992–2023 Louisbourg, NS 316001785 November 2023, Training vessel at the Canadian Coast Guard College, in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
816536 Spray CGVF 1994–2023
2023– 		Dartmouth, NS
Relief fleet 		316001617
816537 Courtney Bay CG2240 1994–2023
2023– 		St John, NB
Relief fleet 		316001621
817948 W. Jackman CG3068 1994–2023 Burin, NL 316003310 November 2023, For Sale
817949 W.G. George CG3064 1994– Burgeo, NL 316001367
819269 Clark's Harbour CG2612 1995–2023 Clark's Harbour, NS 316001616 November 2023, at Canadian Coast Guard College, in Sydney, Nova Scotia, For Sale / Breaking for spares.
819270 Cap Aux Meules CG2682 1996–2023
2023– 		Cap-aux-Meules, QC
Relief fleet 		316001604
819305 Sambro CG2613 1996–2023
2023– 		Sambro, NS
Relief fleet 		316001601
820275 Westport CG2388 1996– Westport, NS 316001892

Chile

Operated by Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile

RNLI ON Name ID In Service Station Comments[7]
1051 Capitan Eduardo Simpson Roth CB-8891 1998–2018 Valparaíso December 2018, Workboat in Salmonera, Chile[7][16]

China

RNLI ON Name In Service[7] Station[2] MMSI[11] Comments
1081 Hua Ying 393 2006– Fuzhou
1082 Hua Ying 398 2005– Donghai, Shanghai 413770296 Last Seen 31 December 2019
Shanghai[11]
1093 Hua Ying 396 2006– Shenzhen 100880564 Last Seen 29 July 2021 Beihai[11]
1098 Hua Ying 397 2006– Zhangjiang
1106 Hua Ying 395 2006– Dalian
1107 Hua Ying 394 2006– Dalian
1123 Hua Ying 399 2006– Wenzhou, Zhejiang 413770297 Last seen 12 October 2018 Wenzhou[11]
1143 Hua Ying 392 2006– Shantou
1150 Hua Ying 390 2007– Waigaoqiao 413770293 Still active, December 2023 Lianyungang[11]
1159 Hua Ying 391 2007– Donghai 413770294 Still active, December 2023 Xiamen[11]

Faroe Islands

Operated by Norðoya Bjargingarfelag

RNLI ON Name ID In Service Station[2] MMSI[11] Comments
1103 Ziska
Arun 		XPZX 2005–2023
2023– 		Klaksvik
Relief fleet Tórshavn 		231393000 2023, Replaced by a new Ziska, Renamed Arun, and retained as backup craft

Finland

Operated by the Finnish Lifeboat Institution

RNLI ON Name In Service Station MMSI[11] Comments[2][7]
1049 PR Mac Elliot 1999–2008
2008–2013 		Porkkala, Porvoo 273349590 Sold.
September 2022, Renamed Barrakuda.
Hydrographic survey boat, Kronstadt, St Petersburg, Russia
1059 Arvinsilmä
Russarö 		2001–2002
2002–2013
Hanko 		273296760 Sold November 2013 to Russia for SAR operations in Kronstadt.
Modernized in 2014 and renamed as Murena (Moray).
November 2022, Pleasure Vessel at Murmansk, Russia
1076 PR Torbay 2002– Kaskinen 230983310
1086 PR Hebe 2003–2019
2013–2020 		Kemi
Hanko 		276010130 Sold 2020.
Renamed Habe. SAR at Hundipea, Tallin, Estonia.
1099 PR Janne Malén 2002– Uusikaupunki 230983340

Greece

The Greek boats were built in Greece by MotoMarine with GRP hulls.[17] Ten are in service with the Hellenic Coast Guard.

Iceland

The Slysavarnafélagið Landsbjörg (Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue) was founded in 1999 after merging the Slysavarnafélag Íslands (National Life-saving Association of Iceland) and Landsbjörg (Association of rescue teams) and has responsibility for rescue operations in Iceland. The Slysavarnafélagið Landsbjörg (ICE-SAR) is divided into both land and sea rescue teams and with main office in Reykjavík. ICE-SAR has a fleet of all weather lifeboats, FRC and rescue boats around the coast of Iceland.[18]

RNLI ON Name
Changes when boat assigned to different port 		ICE-SAR In Service[7] Station MMSI[11] Comments[2][7]
1050 Oddur V. Gíslason
Hannes Þ Hafsteinn
Jón Oddgeir 		2310 1998–2007
2007–2014
2014–2015 		Grindavík
Sandgerði
Reykjavík 		251404110 Relief Fleet from 2008.
Sold 2016. Renamed Valur, Fish Farm Support Vessel, Iceland
Sold 2023.
Renamed The Lady, at Hafnarfjörður[7]
1053 Björg 2542 2002–2019 Rif 244547000 Sold.
Renamed Proteus, Dive, Support & Rescue Vessel, Tender and Marine Services, Rotterdam, Netherlands
1057 Ásgrímur St. Björnsson 2541 2002–2021 Reykjavík 251275110 Formerly in use by Ársæll SAR team. Sold to Tender and Marine Services, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
November, 2023, Still in Iceland
1061 Gunnar Friðriksson
Jón Oddgeir 		2474 2000–2008
2008–2011 		Njarðvík
Reykjavík 		Relief fleet from March 2008. Out of Service 2011. Reported damaged beyond repair, disposed of 2015.
1078 Einar Sigurjónsson
Hannes Þ Hafsteinn 		2593 2003–2014
2015–2023 		Hafnarfjörður
Sandgerði 		231874000 Sold 2023.
Renamed Herborg, Pilot Boat, Klaksvik, Faroe Is.
1100 Oddur V. Gíslason 2743 2007– Grindavík 251811110 Steel Hull
1108 Ingibjörg 2638 2005– Höfn 251363110 In use by Björgunarfélag Hornafjarðar, SAR team
1113 Hafbjörg
Ásgrímur St. Björnsson
Hannes Þ Hafsteinn 		2629 2004–2021
2021–2023
2023– 		Neskaupstaður
Reykjavík
Sandgerði 		251169740
1118 Gunnbjörg 2623 2004– Raufarhöfn 251448110 Replacement for ON 1070 lost on passage
1134 Sveinbjörn Sveinsson 2679 2006– Vopnafjörður 251545110
1135 Vörður II 2681 2006– Patreksfjörður 251778110
1136 Húnabjörg 2637 2005– Skagaströnd 251169840
1144 Sigurvin 2683 2006–2023 Siglufjörður Sold 2023 to Kuummiit, Greenland.
1160 Gunnar Friðriksson
Björg 		2742 2008–2019
2019– 		Ísafjörður
Rif 		251297110

Madeira

Operated by SANAS Madeira

RNLI ON Name In Service Station MMSI[11] Comments[7]
1067 ? 2003–2015 Porto Santo December 2018, On hardstanding at Canical
2023, Undergoing restoration[19]
1077 Salvador do Mar 2003– Centro de Salvamento Costeiro, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 255670650 2023, Undergoing restoration[19]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arun class lifeboats.
  1. ^ Wake-Walker, Edward (2008). The Lifeboats Story. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. pp. 59–63. ISBN 978-0-7509-4858-6.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Denton, Tony (2009). Handbook 2009. Shrewsbury: Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 26–33.
  3. ^ a b Leach 2011, pp. 34–35
  4. ^ Kipling, Ray; Kipling, Susannah (2006). Never Turn Back. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. p. 173. ISBN 0-7509-4307-6.
  5. ^ a b Kipling, Ray; Kipling, Susannah (2006). Never Turn Back. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. pp. 85–87. ISBN 0-7509-4307-6.
  6. ^ a b c Wake-Walker, Edward; Deane, Heather; Purches, Georgette (1989). Lifeboat! Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Shepperton: Ian Allan. pp. 38–41. ISBN 0-7110-1835-9.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2023). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2023. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society.
  8. ^ "Gold Medal Service". 13 December 1981. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  9. ^ "1979: Bronze, Silver and Gold".
  10. ^ Leach 2011, p. 122
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Marine Traffic".
  12. ^ "Danial Thain".
  13. ^ "Bickerton".
  14. ^ "New vessels ordered for Canadian Coast Guard". Marine Log. 3 September 2009. Archived from the original on 6 September 2009.
  15. ^ "Canadian Coast Guard Fleet". Government of Canada. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  16. ^ ""Bote Salvavidas" de Valparaíso, 90 años dedicados a resguardar la vida en el mar". Soy Valparaíso (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  17. ^ "MotoMarine Commercial and Industrial Enterprises". Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  18. ^ "ICE-SAR".
  19. ^ a b "Arun operational by the end of this year". Retrieved 22 August 2023.

Bibliography

Category