Tyne-class lifeboat

RNLI Tyne class lifeboat
Class overview
NameTyne-class lifeboat
Operators
Preceded byRother, Oakley, Solent
Succeeded byTrent, Tamar, Shannon
Cost£1.2 Million
Built1982–1990
In service1983–2025
Completed40
Active4
Retired36
Preserved2
General characteristics
Displacement26 long tons (26 t)
Length47 ft (14 m)
Beam14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)
Draught4 ft 2 in (1.27 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × DDEC V6 diesels
  • 2 × GM V6 diesels or 2 × V8 diesels
Speed17.6 knots (20.3 mph; 32.6 km/h)
Range240 nmi (440 km)
Capacity
  • Self Righting 20
  • Non-Self Righting 100
Complement6 + doctor

The Tyne-class lifeboat was a class of lifeboat that served as a part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution fleet until 2019. They were named after the River Tyne in North East England.

They were designed to be launched from slipways or operate in shallow waters where hitting the bottom is a concern. The class was introduced in 1982, and the last boat was built in 1990.

The Tyne-class was superseded by the Tamar-class, which is 7 knots faster than the Tyne class. However, only 27 Tamars were built, compared to 40 Tynes, leaving the remaining Tynes on station to be replaced with the latest Shannon-class lifeboats.

History

The two prototype boats were built in 1982: 47-001 City of London (ON 1074) and 47-002 Sam and Joan Woods (ON 1075). Following completion of the test programme, City of London entered service at Selsey in November 1983 while Sam and Joan Woods was put into service in the relief fleet in 1984, by which time the first production boats were under construction.

Eventually forty boats were built. The last, Hermione Lady Colwyn (ON 1158), went into service at Shoreham Harbour in September 1990 and served at that station until 2010 when she was withdrawn and sold, the only Tyne not to record over twenty years' service. The RNLI had retired the first of the class in 2006 although eight of the earliest boats were sold to China for further duties in 2007 and 2008. Selsey received a new Shannon-class lifeboat in 2017 after almost 34 years' service by Tyne-class boats, the longest of any station.[1]

The last Tyne class boat in RNLI service was at Wicklow and this was withdrawn on 4 April 2019.[2]

14 Tyne-class lifeboats continued in service with other rescue services around the world. As of March 2025, 11 are still listed in service, but as updates for eight boats in China are not forthcoming, and only one boat at Ningbo still showing any activity, the number of Tyne-class lifeboats still in service is believed to be four.[1]

Design

The unusual design of this lifeboat derives from the requirement to deploy from slipway stations built for previous generations of lifeboats, with limited clearance. The Tyne also lies afloat at stations where the approaches, or operating areas, are particularly shallow. As the lifeboat's propellers are protected by heavy bilge keels, she is particularly well suited to operate where there is a danger of hitting the bottom, or tapping as it is known colloquially.

The Tyne has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. The first two were powered by General Motors 8V-71 diesels of 425 bhp, but the production boats switched to the newer GM 6V-92 of the same power. In the 1990s some boats were re-engined with Detroit Diesel 92 DDEC six-cylinder engines of 565 bhp. During the course of production the weight of the boats increased by over 1 ton; this required an increase in superstructure volume to preserve the self-righting capability, resulting in the height of the aft cabin being raised. Later, further doubts about the self-righting capability resulted in air bags being added to the aft cabin roof.

Fleet

ON[a] Op. No.[b] Name In Service[1] Station MMSI[3] Comments[1]
1074 47-001 City of London 1983-2006 Selsey (Slipway) 413770291
  • Sold 2007.
  • Renamed Hua Ying 388.
  • See China below.
1075 47-002 Sam and Joan Woods
  • 1984–1993
  • 1993–1996
  • 1996–2006
413770292
  • Sold 2007.
  • Renamed Hua Ying 389.
  • See China below.
1094 47-003 James Burrough
  • 1984–2006
  • 2006
  • Sold 2007.
  • Renamed Hua Ying 387.
  • See China below.
1095 47-004
  • St. Cybi II
  • (Civil Service No.40)
  • 1985–1997
  • 1997–2006
  • Sold 2007.
  • Renamed Hua Ying 386.
  • See China below.
1096 47-005 Ethel Anne Measures
  • 1985–2006
  • 2006–2007
  • Sold 2007.
  • Renamed Hua Ying 385.
  • See China below.
1097 47-006 Ruby and Arthur Reed
  • 1985–1996
  • 1996–1999
  • 1999–2007
  • 2007–2008
  • Sold 2007.
  • Renamed Hua Ying 382.
  • See China below.
1109 47-007 City of Edinburgh
  • 1985–1997
  • 1997–2002
  • 2002–2008
770576383
  • Sold 2010.
  • Renamed ADES 19 Centenario.
  • See ADES Uruguay below.
1110 47-008 Phil Mead
  • 1986–2006
  • 2006–2008
  • Sold 2007.
  • Renamed Hua Ying 384.
  • See China below.
1111 47-009 William Luckin
  • 1986–2000
  • 2000–2007
412100300
  • Sold 2007.
  • Renamed Hua Ying 383.
  • See China below.
1112 47-010 RFA Sir Galahad
  • 1986–2006
  • 2006–2008
  • 2008–2009
  • 2009
  • Tenby (Slipway)
  • Relief fleet
  • Angle (Slipway)
  • Relief fleet
 912322377
  • Sold 2010.
  • Renamed Sir Galahad.
  • Workboat at Tallinn, Estonia, September 2024.
1114 47-011 The Lady Rank
  • 1987–2008
  • 2008–2011
  • Angle (Slipway)
  • Relief fleet
 770576384
  • Sold 2011.
  • Renamed ADES 20 Bicentenary.
  • See ADES Uruguay below.
1115 47-012 Good Shepherd
  • 1988–2000
  • 2000–2001
  • 2001–2010
  • Sold 2010.
  • Renamed Carnarc.
  • Pilot boat at North Longman Marina, Inverness, September 2023.
1116 47-013 Robert and Violet
  • 1988–2013
  • 2013–2015
  • 2015
232002745
  • Sold 2015.
  • Renamed Puffin XII.
  • See Sri Lanka Lifeboat Institution below.
1117 47-014 James Bibby
  • 1986–2008
  • 2008–2010
  • 2010
  • 2010–2011
  • Sold 2011.
  • Renamed Pioneer.
  • Aft Cabin removed, Workboat in Invergordon.
  • Sold June 2023
  • Private ownership, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank.[4]
1120 47-015 Hetty Rampton
  • 1987–2012
  • 2012–2015
232002731
  • Sold 2015.
  • Renamed Inch Burn.
  • Pilot Boat with Montrose Port Authority, November 2024.
1121 47-016 Norman Salvesen
  • 1988–1997
  • 1998–2009
  • 2009–2014
  • Kept afloat 1994–1997
  • Sold June 2014.
  • Unaltered, at Conwy Marina, September 2024
1122 47-017 Owen and Ann Aisher 1988–2012 Relief fleet
  • Sold 2013.
  • Renamed MVS Prince George V104.
  • Pilot Boat with Montrose Port Authority. Damaged 2016, subsequently stripped of spares.
  • Sold May 2023.
  • Glamping Pod at Mains Farm Wigwams of Stirling, June 2024.[5]
1126 47-018 Max Aitken III
  • 1987–2009
  • 2009–2014
232003197
  • Sold June 2014.
  • Renamed Sir Max Aitken III.
  • See JLA (Ind.) below.
1127 47-019 Babs and Agnes Robertson
  • 1988–2006
  • 2006–2013
  • Kept afloat 1998–2006
  • Sold 2014.
  • Renamed FVC-1.
  • Unaltered, at Riverside Marina, River Hamble, September 2024.
1130 47-022 The Baltic Exchange II
  • 1988–2008
  • 2008–2009
1131 47-023 City of Sheffield
  • 1988–1996
  • 1996–1997
  • 1997–2000
  • 2000–2001
  • 2001–2016
On display at the National Emergency Services Museum, Sheffield
1132 47-020 Spirit of Lowestoft
  • 1987–2014
  • 2014–2018
On display at RNLI Historic Collection, Chatham Historic Dockyard, 19 June 2019
1133 47-021 The Famous Grouse
  • 1987–2004
  • 2004–2010
  • 2010–2012
316028835
  • Sold May 2013.
  • Renamed Fraser Lifeboat 1A-04.
  • See Canadian Lifeboat Institution below.[7]
1137 47-024 Hilda Jarrett
  • 1988–2012
  • 2012–2015
232002581
  • Sold 2015.
  • Renamed North Esk.
  • Pilot Boat with Montrose Port Authority.
  • Sold March 2023
  • Renamed Ascension.
  • Pilot Boat, Stornoway Port, November 2024.[4]
1138 47-025 Lord Saltoun
  • 1988–1999
  • 1999–2012
  • Sold October 2012.
  • Renamed Norma-G.
  • Work boat with D. Ferran and Sons, Belfast Northern Ireland. On harbour wall at Carrickfergus, December 2021.[8]
1139 47-026 Garside
  • 1988–2013
  • 2013–2016
  • 2016–2018
232015993
  • Retained on station alongside Tamar-class lifeboat until completion of new boathouse in Oct 2016.
  • Sold 2018.
  • Renamed Triton. Workboat and crew transfer, Falmouth Docks, October 2024.
1140 47-027 George Gibson
  • 1988–2010
  • 2010–2011
232008820
  • Sold January 2013. Renamed The John Faulding (SGI-007).
  • Construction safety boat for Specialist Group International at Portishead Marina, April 2024.
1141 47-028 Sir John Fisher
  • 1989–1992
  • 1992–2017
  • Sold 2018.
  • Renamed Eala.
  • Private Ownership, Troon, May 2022.
1142 47-029 Mariners Friend
  • 1989–2007
  • 2007–2012
  • 2012–2013
  • Sold June 2014. Renamed Suilbhir Giomach (Jolly Lobster).
  • Dive/Workboat at Loch Scridain (summer) and Dunstaffnage Marina (winter), September 2024.
1145 47-030 David Robinson
  • 1988–2011
  • 2011–2016
  • Sold 2017.
  • Renamed Diligence J.
  • Crew transfer boat for Togo Oil and Marine, at Lomé, Togo, West Africa, October 2018.[9]
1146 47-031 Voluntary Worker
  • 1988–1990
  • 1990–2005
  • 2005–2017
  • Sold 2017.
  • Floating display with Helical Technology, Lytham, Lancs. Lytham Motive Power (Private) Museum (no public access), June 2024.
1147 47-032 Sir William Hillary 1988–2018 Douglas (Slipway)
  • Sold 2020.
  • Renamed Sir William.
  • Private Ownership at Portishead Marina, June 2024.
1151 47-033 Mary Irene Millar
  • 1989–2011
  • 2011–2013
  • Sold December 2013.
  • Private ownership, at Mayflower Marina, Plymouth, May 2024.
1152 47-034 Moonbeam
  • 1989–2015
  • 2015–2016
  • Sold November 2016.
  • Private Ownership at Salcombe, December 2023
1153 47-035 Annie Blaker 1989–2019 Wicklow (Slipway) 232003199
  • Last Tyne-class on station
  • Sold 2020.
  • Operating with Guernsey Boat Charter at St Peter Port, May 2024.[2][4]
1154 47-036 Kenneth Thelwall II
  • 1990–1994
  • 1996–2011
  • Sold September 2011.
  • Renamed Ocean Lad.
  • Crew/Pilot boat for Atlantic Towage, West End, Bere Island, Co. Cork, Ireland, December 2023.[10]
1155 47-037 Sarah Emily Harrop
  • 1990–1998
  • 1998–2007
  • 2007–2010
  • 2010
  • 2010
250002783
  • Sold October 2010. Renamed Ocean Lass.
  • Ferry/Pilot boat, Bere Island Ferries, Co, Cork Ireland, September 2023.
1156 47-038 William Street 1989–2016 Fleetwood (Afloat) 232006029
  • Sold 2016.
  • Renamed Amelia.
  • NHS Ferry Charter operated by Seafaris Adventures (Skye) from Mallaig.
  • Private Ownership, Skye, October 2024.
1157 47-039 Alexander Coutanche
  • 1989–2009
  • 2009–2010
  • 2010–2012
  • 2012–2013
  • 2013–2014
232002580
  • Sold 2015.
  • Renamed Euan D.
  • Pilot/Work boat with JD Marine operating from Swansea, November 2024.
1158 47-040 Hermione Lady Colwyn 1990–2010 Shoreham Harbour (Slipway)
  • Sold 2010.
  • Renamed Odin Nautical
  • With Aegir Nautical, Lymington. Workboat at East Cowes, IOW, possibly now sold to Germany, April 2019.
  1. ^ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. ^ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

China

RNLI ON Name In Service[1] Station MMSI[3] Comments[1]
1074 Hua Ying 388 2007– Xiamen 413770291 Last Seen 19 July 2020 Shanghai[3]
1075 Hua Ying 389 2007– Ningbo 413770292 Last Seen 31 July 2025 Ningbo[3]
1094 Hua Ying 386 2007– Yantai
1095 Hua Ying 387 2007– Rongcheng
1096 Hua Ying 384 2007– Beihai
1097 Hua Ying 385 2008– Shekou
1110 Hua Ying 382 2008– Shenzhen
1111 Hua Ying 383 2008– Guangzhou 412100300 Last Seen 17 July 2021 Haikou[3]

Uruguay

Operated by ADES Uruguay

RNLI ON Name In Service[1] Station MMSI[3] Comments[1]
1109 ADES 19 Centenario 2010–2023 Puerto de Colonia 770576383
  • Oct 2023, Retired from Service. Sold 2024.
  • Workboat with CG Traficos SRL in Nueva Palmira, Uruguay, December 2024.
1114 ADES 20 Bicentenary 2011–2023 Puerto del Buceo 770576384
  • Oct 2023, Retired from Service.
  • For sale, December 2024.

Sri Lanka

Operated by the Sri Lankan Lifeboat Institution

RNLI ON Name In Service[1] Station MMSI[3] Comments[1]
1116 Puffin XII 2015–2020 Colombo
  • Last seen in service, MMSI, 18 February 2020.
  • Reported sold from service, now with Master Divers (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka.[11][6]

Jersey

Operated by the Jersey Lifeboat Association

RNLI ON Name In Service[1] Station MMSI[3] Comments[1]
1126 Sir Max Aitken III
  • 2019–2021
  • 2023–
 St Helier 232003197 Lifeboat damaged on call on 10 November 2021, grounding on rocks at Pierre au Poisson. Repairs were carried out during 2022, and the boat returned to SAR service on 30 May 2023.[12]

Seychelles

Operated by the Seychelles Coast Guard

RNLI ON Name In Service[1] Station[1] Comments
1130 PB Fortune 2010– Mahe Plateau Still in service, January 2024

Canada

Operated by the Canadian Lifeboat Institution

RNLI ON Name In Service[1] Station MMSI[3] Comments[1]
1133 Fraser Lifeboat 1A-04 2013– Steveston, Richmond, BC 316028835

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2025). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 62–67.
  2. ^ a b Farewell to the Tyne Ships Monthly July 2019 page 7
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Marine Traffic".
  4. ^ a b c Lifeboats Past & Present (No. 18 Spring 2023 ed.). LBES. p. 21.
  5. ^ "Former RNLI lifeboat to become glamping pod after being saved from scrapheap". RNLI. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  6. ^ a b "New patrol boat to help counter maritime threats".
  7. ^ "Our Vessels". Canadian Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  8. ^ "D Ferran & Sons".
  9. ^ "Togo Oil & Marine".
  10. ^ "Atlantic Towage".
  11. ^ "New Boat for Sri Lankan Lifeboat Institution". Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  12. ^ "Independent Investigation Report: Jersey Lifeboat Association Grounding" (PDF). Jersey Govt. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
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