H-class rescue hovercraft [1] serve the shores of the United Kingdom as a part of the RNLI inshore fleet. A modified Type 470TD design built by Griffon Hoverwork, they were developed to operate in tidal areas such as Morecambe Bay, where strandings by incoming tides can have fatal consequences; and in waters too shallow for normal craft.
Hovercraft were also assigned to three other stations, New Brighton, Hunstanton, and Southend-on-Sea. In 2016, the New Brighton Hovercraft H-005 Hurley Spirit was reassigned to Hoylake.
In 2023, trials were carried out by the RNLI, assisted by the team at Hoylake station, to evaluate different crafts being considered as a potential successor to the current hovercraft.[2]
Fleet
| Op.No.[a] | Name | In service[3] | Principal Station | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H-001 | Molly Rayner | 2002– | Relief fleet | [4] |
| H-002 | The Hurley Flyer | 2002– | Morecambe | [5] |
| H-003 | Hunstanton Flyer (Civil Service No.45) |
2003– | Hunstanton | [6] |
| H-004 | Vera Ravine | 2004– | Southend-on-Sea | [7] |
| H-005 | Hurley Spirit | 2004–2016 2016– |
New Brighton Hoylake |
[8] |
| H-006 | John Russell | 2005– | Relief fleet | [9] |
| H-007 | Samburgh | 2009– | Relief fleet |
- ^ Op.No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat.
References
- ^ "Rescue hovercraft". RNLI. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- ^ "Hoylake RNLI trial new hovercraft models". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
- ^ "This is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's Hovercraft H-001, named Molly Rayner". UK Emergency Vehicles. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
- ^ "Morecambe RNLI celebrate 20 years of its inshore rescue hovercraft". RNLI. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ "Hunstanton Flyer is celebrating 20 years of saving lives at sea". Town&Around. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ "Southend-on-Sea RNLI mark the 20th anniversary of the hovercraft". RNLI. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ "20 years of saving lives: Hoylake RNLI mark the anniversary of the hovercraft". RNLI. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ "RNLI hovercraft launched". Motorboat & Yachting. Retrieved 8 November 2005.
External links