Hull replacement

A new hull design has been announced by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for its latest class of all-weather lifeboat, the Fast Carriage Boat 2 (FCB2).

The latest design was chosen following seven design submissions - six from external companies and one from the RNLI - in response to rough-weather trials, which revealed that FCB2’s original hull did not meet operational standards.

Selection of the hull was based on the testing of six scale models built by Seaspeed Marine Consulting. The models were powered by twin waterjets and carried a small video camera in the wheelhouse at the coxswain’s position. Testing was carried out in The Solent, Chichester Harbour and Poole Bay, with further testing carried out at Qinetiq’s Ocean Basin and Ship Tank at Haslar, Gosport.

RNLI’s FCB2 project manager, Chris Eves, said: ‘The RNLI is committed to providing its volunteer crews with the very best equipment to carry out their lifesaving role. The introduction of FCB2, the Mersey class’s successor, will ultimately mean the whole fleet of all-weather lifeboats have a 25-knot capability, meaning casualties can be reached more quickly and efficiently.’