FCB2 class lifeboat
Encyclopedia
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The Shannon Class Lifeboat (previously FCB2 - Fast Carriage Boat 2) will serve the shores of the British Isles
as a part of the RNLI fleet. The Shannon class is intended to replace the Mersey class
carriage-launched lifeboat.
The Experimental boat, named Effseabee Too underwent sea trials during 2005–2008. It is based on a Camarc Pilot vessel design, with a Fibre Reinforced composite hull, powered by twin water jets. It currently has a top speed of approximately 30 knots (59 km/h), but will be rated down to 25–27 knots when the final design is put into production. In 2008 the FCB2 development was delayed due to hull shape issues, as trials showed crews would be subjected to unacceptable shocks and excessive horizontal shaking in high seas. The RNLI indicated that the project would be extended at least three more years to research a new hull shape.
The Shannon class will use similar SIMS technology to that of the Tamar class lifeboat
. In April 2009 it was announced a new hull had been chosen. The Shannon class prototype boat currently under construction as of August 2011 will began sea trials in early 2012, with the first operational lifeboat expected to be on station in mid-2013.
In April 2011 it was announced the class would be named after the River Shannon
, the longest river in Ireland
. This is the first time that the name of an Irish river has been used for a class of RNLI lifeboat.
The Shannon Class Lifeboat (previously FCB2 - Fast Carriage Boat 2) will serve the shores of the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
as a part of the RNLI fleet. The Shannon class is intended to replace the Mersey class
Mersey class lifeboat
Mersey class lifeboats are all-weather lifeboats operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution from stations around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland...
carriage-launched lifeboat.
The Experimental boat, named Effseabee Too underwent sea trials during 2005–2008. It is based on a Camarc Pilot vessel design, with a Fibre Reinforced composite hull, powered by twin water jets. It currently has a top speed of approximately 30 knots (59 km/h), but will be rated down to 25–27 knots when the final design is put into production. In 2008 the FCB2 development was delayed due to hull shape issues, as trials showed crews would be subjected to unacceptable shocks and excessive horizontal shaking in high seas. The RNLI indicated that the project would be extended at least three more years to research a new hull shape.
The Shannon class will use similar SIMS technology to that of the Tamar class lifeboat
Tamar class lifeboat
Tamar class lifeboats are all-weather lifeboats operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland...
. In April 2009 it was announced a new hull had been chosen. The Shannon class prototype boat currently under construction as of August 2011 will began sea trials in early 2012, with the first operational lifeboat expected to be on station in mid-2013.
In April 2011 it was announced the class would be named after the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
, the longest river in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. This is the first time that the name of an Irish river has been used for a class of RNLI lifeboat.
External links
- RNLI Fleet
- FCB2 Class Named
- Green Marine - Builders