Atlantic 85-class lifeboat

Fleet of rigid inflatable boats used for lifesaving and costal operations on the British Isles

The Atlantic 85 is part of the B-class of lifeboats that serve the shores of the United Kingdom and Ireland as a part of the RNLI inshore fleet.

The Atlantic 85 is the third generation B-class Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) developed from the Atlantic 21 and the later Atlantic 75. The Atlantic design of the B-class of lifeboats is named after Atlantic College, where the design was originally developed.

Design

The hull is constructed in a fibre reinforced composite, consisting of a carbon fibre and foam core laminate with an epoxy glass and foam sandwich layup. The tubes are Hypalon.

The boat is powered by twin 115 hp (86 kW) Yamaha 4-stroke outboard engines that have been inversion-proofed to ensure the engines are still operational after a capsize.

Like previous RIBs, it has a manually operated self-righting mechanism that deploys an airbag mounted atop the A-frame. It is capable of being beached in an emergency without sustaining damage to engines or steering gear. The Atlantic 85 is fitted with radar and VHF direction finding equipment and can be operated safely in daylight in a force 6/7 and at night in a force 5/6.^[1]

The Atlantic 85 also has intercom communications between the crew and VHF radio via their helmets. The lifeboat is also equipped with the RNLI's SIMS (ship information & management system) which provides the crew with combined chartplotter and AIS, radar and VHF directional finding capability. It also carries searchlights, handheld night-vision equipment and illuminating paraflares for night-time operations, as well as casualty care equipment.

To ensure equipment is kept to a high standard of repair, boats go through annual or bi-annual overhauls, and 4-year refits.^[2]

Gallery

• 
  A close up of the console & controls of Atlantic 85 B-805
• 
  Atlantic 85 B-805 launching in Bangor in 2008
• 
  Atlantic 85 B-824 with an Atlantic 75 & a D class in 2010
• 
  Atlantic 85 B-832 in Porthcawl in 2011
• 
  Atlantic 85 B-832 in Porthcawl in 2011
• 
  Atlantic 85 (B-826) at Poole in 2017

Fleet

B-800 – B-899

B-900 – B-999

1. Op. No. is the RNLI's operational number of the boat
2. Op. No. is the RNLI's operational number of the boat

See also

• Talus MB-H amphibious tractor
• Talus MB-4H amphibious tractor
• Talus MB-764 amphibious tractor
• Talus Atlantic 85 DO-DO launch carriage

References

1. "Atlantic 85 Details". RNLI. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2009.
2. "Inshore Lifeboat Centre - Repairs and overhauls". RNLI.org. RNLI. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
3. Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
4. "Our lifeboats". RNLI Dart Lifeboat. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
5. "Kinsale RNLI names new lifeboat in memory of donor, 'godmother' and friend". RNLI. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
6. "Fred. Olsen guests fund and name new RNLI lifeboat | RNLI". rnli.org. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
7. Haines, Emma (21 May 2023). "Dart RNLI volunteers officially name their new Atlantic 85 class lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
8. "Skipasund Lifeboat Arrives in Macduff". The Skipasund Foundation. Skipasund Foundation. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
9. "Jersey's RNLI takes delivery of new lifeboat – and it is immediately called into action". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
10. "Newquay RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew welcomes brand new B-Class lifeboat". RNLI. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
11. "Lifeboat named and revamped RNLI station officially opened in Minehead". West Somerset Free Press. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
12. "New Guernsey RNLI lifeboat honours volunteer killed in WW2". BBC. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.

External links

• RNLI Fleet
• B-class Atlantic 85