Tamar class lifeboat

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Tamar class


First built:	2002 (prototype)
Introduced:	2006
Last built:	still in production
Number built:	9 (ongoing) plus prototype
Builder:	Babcock Marine (Devonport)/Green Marine (build), Babcock Marine (fit-out)
General characteristics
Length:	16 m (52.5 ft)
Beam	5 m
Draft:	1.35 m
Displacement:	31.5 tonnes
Construction:	Fibre Reinforced Composite
Engines:	2 x Caterpillar C18 (1000 hp)
Propulsion:	2 x fixed pitch 5 blade propellers
Speed:	25 knots (46 km/h)
Fuel Capacity:	4,600 litres diesel
Range:	250 nautical miles (460 km)
Endurance:	10 hours at 25 knots (46 km/h)
Crew:	7
Capacity:	Self-righting: 40 Non self-righting: 100

Tamar class lifeboats carry out life-saving duties in the UK as part of the RNLI fleet. The Tamar class is the replacement for the Tyne-class slipway launched lifeboat. They are named for the River Tamar, which forms the majority of the border between Devon and Cornwall.

The Tamar is the most advanced vessel in the RNLI fleet. It hosts new technology, including fly-by-wire joystick steering, suspension seats to protect crew in severe weather, and an onboard computer system called Systems and Information Management System or SIMS. SIMS allows complex tasks such as engine and navigation management to be displayed on a single flat LCD screen, six of which are positioned around the vessel, to allow crew to operate all the systems without moving from their seats.

It carries a Y Class (pre-inflated) inflatable daughter boat housed in a pen recessed into the stern of the Tamar, accessed by lowering the transom, and lifting a section of deck. This allows the tender to be launched and recovered on to a ramp provided by the lowered transom section. Alternatively, the Tamar can be equipped with a PWC (jetski) similar to that used by beach lifeguards, which is housed in the same compartment.

The boat completed its trials in July 2005, and the first entered service at Tenby in March 2006, Followed by Peterhead, Scotland receiving the third of the class, 16-03, in April 2006. Padstow received the fourth of the class in July 2006 16-04. Cromer is also set to receive 16-07 in 2007.