TTECHNOLOGY: RIBS & PATROL CRAFTRNLI’s Shannon Class Lifeboat: Speed, Maneuverability, Flexibilityhe latest lifeboat to join the all-weather lifeboat yet to be deployed. class, the Tamar, in 2005. the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboats and, ? eet of the Royal National Designed entirely in-house by RNLI In 2013, the Royal National Life- with an operational lifetime of 25 years, Lifeboat Institution, the main engineers, cutting-edge technology has boat Institution introduced the Shannon is expected to provide lifesaving cover Tsea rescue service in the UK been used in this new boat to meet mod- class lifeboat to meet the modern-day around the coasts of the UK and Ire-and Ireland, is the waterjet-propelled ern-day rescue service demands follow- demands facing a sea rescue service. land for the foreseeable future: its hull Shannon class, which the organization ing the lead taken with the RNLI’s intro- At 13 meters long and weighing 18 and wheelhouse have a life expectancy says is its most agile and maneuverable duction of the Shannon’s sister lifeboat tonnes, the Shannon is the smallest of of 50 years, thereby enabling the boat’s The Exmouth, UK-based Shannon class R and J Welburn being launched into the sea. Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard44 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • APRIL 2019MR #4 (42-49).indd 44 4/2/2019 1:13:02 PM