Tinners Walk
Falmouth
Cornwall
TR11 3HZ Thursday 07 August 2008
|
|
|
Falmouth Lifeboat Station Tinners Walk Falmouth Cornwall TR11 3HZ Thursday 07 August 2008 |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||||
 |
|
Falmouth Round Table is our Fast Rigid Inflafable Boat. The Atlantic 21 is launched down the slipway by means of a trolley and hydraulic winch. The larger off shore lifeboat "The Will" is normally moored along side a floating pontoon, with access from the shore by means of a gangway, at the top of this is the launching mechanisim for the maroon. These are fired when the lifeboat is going out on an operational call. Following the success of the inflatable lifeboat which was introduced into the RNLI's fleet in 1963, it was obvious by the end of that decade that a larger inshore lifeboat, which could operate at night, was needed. The RNLI chose a design pioneered by Rear Admiral Desmond Hoare at Atlantic College, South Wales. The boat had a wooden rigid hull topped by an inflatable sponson or tube. The rigid portion of the hull gave the boat greater speed and sea-keeping than was possible with inflatables and the sponsons added stability. RNLI engineers and technicians at the inshore Lifeboat Centre (ILC) at Cowes developed the design, incorporating a glass reinforced plastic (GRP) hull for strength, stability and the special equipment needed for lifeboat work. In 1972 the first of these new lifeboats which were to be known as the Atlantic 21 class went on station at Hartlepool in Cleveland. Since then Atlantic 21's have been launched on service over 15,000 times saving over 4,600 lives. Following on the success of this lifeboat, the new Atlantic 75 was developed at the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Centre Cowes during 1992/93 with the first production boat going on station in early 1994. Our Atlantic 21 was returned to Cowes for upgrading to the specification of the 75 but is a little shorter at 7.2 metres (23ft 8 inches). The twin 50 h.p. outboard engines were replaced with 70 h.p. engines. A roll bar assembly above the engines on the stem of the boat provides the mounting for a self righting bag, stowed flat. In the event of a capsize, a crew member activates a gas bottle to inflate the bag. The lifeboat turns upright in a few seconds. Dressing for Sea When the inshore Atlantic 21 or 75 Lifeboat goes to sea it is essential that the crew of 3 are properly dressed and kitted out for what may be a long, cold and very wet time. The protective clothing required is, firstly, a thermal suit. which is put on over their every day clothes, this suit keeps the body heat in, and without it they would soon feel very cold and tired. The crewman will then climb into a one piece ary suit, complete with rubber boots, watertight neck and cuff seals, and this is to keep the water out, even if the crewman enters the water, it should keep him dry. A crash helmet always wom, complete with visor to protect the head and face from the wind and sea, it also prevents injuries from falls when the boat is, travelling at high speeds. This helmet, also prevents the loss of body heat from the head. Lastly, the ifejacket complete with light, whistle and recovery strop is put on and the crewman is ready for sea. On returning all the equipment is cleaned, checked, and put away in a warm air storage, readv for the next time. |
Home
Action !
Our Shop
Joining us
The Lifeboats
Lifeboat Links
About the RNLI
Cornish Lifeboats
Our E-mail Library Service
History
© Falmouth Lifeboat & Silverquick Ltd. Web Site and Support Email RNLI Registered charity number 209603 |