RNLB B-536
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name: | B-536 |
| Owner: | Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) |
| Builder: | Inshore Lifeboat Centre, Cowes |
| Official Number: | B-536 |
| Donor: | |
| Stations | Peel, Isle of Man Sheringham, Norfolk |
| Laid down: | 1976 |
| Acquired: | 18 April 1992 |
| Decommissioned: | January 1994 |
| In service: |
|
| Notes: | B 536 was originally stationed at Peel Lifeboat Station on the Isle of Man |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Atlantic 21 |
| Type: | Rigid-inflatable |
| Displacement: | 1.4 tonnes |
| Length: | 7.21 m (23.7 ft)overall |
| Beam: | 2.49 m (8.2 ft) |
| Draught: | 0.81 m (2.7 ft) |
| Depth: | 4 ft 4 in (1.32 m) |
| Installed power: | 70 hp (52 kW) each engine |
| Propulsion: | Two 2-stroke outboard engines, |
| Speed: | 32 knots (37 mph; 59 km/h) |
| Range: | 3 hours |
| Capacity: | 22 |
| Crew: | 3 |
| Notes: | Launched by Tractor aboard a trolley |
The Inshore Lifeboat B-536 was an Atlantic 21 rigid-inflatable inshore lifeboat on station at the English coastal town of Sheringham in the county of Norfolk in the United Kingdom.[1][2] The ILB replaced the all-weather lifeboat RNLB Lloyds II (ON 986) on the 18 April 1992.[1]
Description
The B-536 was launched from a supplied trolley which was towed from the boathouse by a tractor. The boat was 7.21 m (23.7 ft) in length and she had a beam of 2.49 m (8.2 ft), and a draught of 0.81 m (2.7 ft). She was powered through the water by twin 2-stroke outboard engines, of 70 hp (52 kW) each. Her equipment included two VHF radios, First Aid Kit & oxygen, GPS navigation system, night vision equipment, self-righting system, anchor and various warps, toolkit, towing system, illuminating and distress pyrotechnics, spotlight, torches. The rollbar assembly installed above the engines contains a self-righting bag which was operated by a member of the crew activating a gas bottle.
New Era
The replacement of RNLB Lloyds II (ON 986)[1] all-weather lifeboat marked a new era and operating scope for the Sheringham Lifeboat Station. The RNLI considered that at this time the North Norfolk coastline now had excellent coverage by all-weather lifeboats which included a Mersey-class lifeboat at Wells-next-the-Sea, and a Tyne-class lifeboat to the east at the Cromer.[1] Although there was some sadness and apprehension from the town at the loss of its all-weather lifeboat, fears were allayed by the promise of a new state of the art Atlantic 75-class lifeboat[1] for the station in the near future. In the meantime the station was allocated the Atlantic 21 B-536, a boat which had been built in 1976[1] and had been stationed at Peel on the Isle of Man. The crew found that the B-536 was four times faster[1] than her predecessor and was much easier and faster to launch. She also had the capacity to work in shallower waters and would make a large contribution and improvement to the rescue cover along the North Norfolk coastline.[1]
Service
B-536 was called to service 19 times[1] during her short stay on the station. her first service took place on June 18, 1992[1] when she launched to assist the fishing boat Charles Mark which she escorted safely back to Sheringham beach. During 1993 the lifeboat was kept very busy being launched to service a total of 11 times.[1]
Lions International (B-539)
In September 1993[1] B-536 was relieved from Sheringham and her place was taken by another Atlantic 21,RNLB Lions International (B-539).[1] This boat stayed at Sheringham until 5 January 1994[1] when the new Atlantic 75 arrived.
Service and rescues
| RNLB B-536 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Casualty | Lives saved |
| 1992 | ||
| June 18 | Small fishing vessel Charles Mark in adverse conditions, escorted | |
| June 25 | Small fishing vessel Norther Star in adverse conditions, escorted | |
| August 11 | Cabin cruiser Ulster Queen, Machinery failure, escorted | |
| August 12 | Small fishing vessel, Machinery failure, escorted | |
| September 5 | Flotation buoy north east of station, gave help | |
| October 28 | Small derelict fishing vessel, false alarm | |
| 1993 | ||
| January 29 | Small fishing vessel My Girl, In adverse conditions, escorted casualty | |
| March 21 | Yacht Katina, gave help | |
| April 11 | Fishing vessel Tom Kit in adverse conditions, escorted | |
| May 23 | Sailing dinghy, stood by | |
| August 4 | Fishing vessel Triton, gave help | |
| September 23 | Fishing vessel Verity Ellen, gave help | |
| Relieved by RNLB Lions International (B-539) | ||
| January 5 | Assist a man in sea, who was rescued from the beach | 1 |
| Preceded by RNLB Lloyds II (ON 986) |
RNLB B-536 1992–1993 |
Succeeded by RNLB Manchester Unity of Oddfellows (B-702) |