Severn class lifeboat

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Severn class


First built:	1992 (prototype)
Introduced:	1996
Last built:	2003
Number built:	46
Builder:	Green Marine
General characteristics
Length:	17 m (55 ft 9 in)
Beam:	5.5 m (18 ft)
Draught:	1.38 m (4 ft 6 in)
Displacement	40 tonnes
Engines:	2 x Caterpillar 3412 TA diesels (2 x 1250 bhp or 930 kW @ 2150 rpm)
Gearboxes:	UBW 195 V reserve-reduction gearbox 2.03:1 ratio
Speed:	25 knots (45 km/h)
Fuel capacity:	5,500 litres (1,200 imperial gallons)
Range:	250 nautical miles (460 km)
Crew:	6
Capacity:	Self Righting 47 Non-Self Righting 185

The Severn class lifeboat is the largest lifeboat used by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a UK charity dedicated to saving life at sea. The class is named after the River Severn, the longest river in Great Britain.

There are forty-six Severn class lifeboats serving the RNLI around the coast of the UK and Ireland since the introduction of the class in 1996. It carries a Y Class inflatable boat, which can be deployed by an on-board crane for use in shallow water.

Severns have a comprehensive electronics fit including full MF and VHF DSC radio equipment, DGPS Navigator, an electronic chart system, VHF/DF, radar and weather sensors. For added manoeuvrability, in addition to twin engines, the Severn also has a bow thruster fitted. The propellers are enclosed so the Severn can take ground without damaging them.

The Severn is constructed of fibre reinforced composite material, and the hard chine semi-displacement hull built to a two compartment standard, meaning it can stay afloat with two of its five compartments flooded. Provision for survivors includes comprehensive first aid equipment including stretchers, oxygen and Entonox.

Severns carry a portable salvage pump in a water-tight container, and can also carry out pumping and fire fighting tasks using the engine driven general service pump.