Atlantic 85-class lifeboat

	Atlantic 85 B-805 on exercise in Bangor
Class overview
Name	Atlantic 85
Builders	Inshore Lifeboat Centre, Cowes
Operators	Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Preceded by	Atlantic 75
Cost	£140,000 to £180,000
In service	2005–
In commission	2006–
Completed	144
General characteristics
Class and type	B-class Atlantic 85
Displacement	1.8 tonnes
Length	8.44 m (27.7 ft)
Beam	2.85 m (9.4 ft)
Draught	0.53 m (1.7 ft)
Propulsion	2 × Yamaha 4-stroke outboard engines, 115 hp (86 kW); 210 litres fuel;
Speed	35 knots (40 mph; 65 km/h)
Endurance	2.5 hours
Capacity	24
Complement	4

The Atlantic 85 is the third generation Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB), in the B-class series of Inshore lifeboats, operated around the shores of the British Isles and the Channel Islands by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Developed from the Atlantic 21 and the later Atlantic 75, it was first placed on service in 2005, and has gradually now replaced the older Atlantic 75-class. The Atlantic design of the B-class of lifeboats is named after Atlantic College, where the design was originally developed.^[1]

Design

The hull is constructed in a fibre reinforced composite, consisting of a carbon fibre and foam core laminate with an epoxy glass and foam sandwich layup. The tubes are Hypalon.

The boat is powered by twin 115 hp (86 kW) Yamaha 4-stroke outboard engines that have been inversion-proofed to ensure the engines are still operational after a capsize.

Like previous RIBs, it has a manually operated self-righting mechanism that deploys an airbag mounted atop the A-frame. It is capable of being beached in an emergency without sustaining damage to engines or steering gear. The Atlantic 85 is fitted with radar and VHF direction finding equipment and can be operated safely in daylight in a force 6/7 and at night in a force 5/6.^[2]

The Atlantic 85 also has intercom communications between the crew and VHF radio via their helmets. The lifeboat is also equipped with the RNLI's SIMS (ship information & management system) which provides the crew with combined chartplotter and AIS, radar and VHF directional finding capability. It also carries searchlights, handheld night-vision equipment and illuminating paraflares for night-time operations, as well as casualty care equipment.

To ensure equipment is kept to a high standard of repair, boats go through annual or bi-annual overhauls, and 4-year refits.^[3]

All of the following fleet details are referenced to the Lifeboat Enthusiast Society Handbook, published annually, with information retrieved directly from RNLI records.^[4]

Gallery

A close up of the console & controls of Atlantic 85 B-805
Atlantic 85 B-805 launching in Bangor in 2008
Atlantic 85 B-824 with an Atlantic 75 & a D class in 2010
Atlantic 85 B-832 in Porthcawl in 2011
Atlantic 85 B-832 in Porthcawl in 2011
Atlantic 85 (B-826) at Poole in 2017

Fleet

B-800 – B-899

Op. No.^[a]	Name	In Service^[4]	Station	Comments
B-800 B-PO2				Prototype Atlantic 85
B-801	The Drayton Manor	2004–2006 2006 2006 2006–2014 2014–2015 2015–	Trials Relief fleet Tower Relief fleet Training fleet Relief fleet
B-802	Chelsea Flower Show	2006–2015 2015–	Relief fleet Training fleet (B-802C)
B-803	William Hurst	2006–2019 2020–	Relief fleet Training fleet (B-803C)
B-804	Lydia Macdonald	2006–2022	Macduff	Sold 2024 to Freshwater Independent Lifeboat
B-805	Jessie Hillyard	2006–2024	Bangor
B-806	Mudeford Servant	2006–	Mudeford
B-807	Mary Lewis	2006–2017 2017–	Relief fleet Training fleet
B-808	Donald McLauchlan	2006–	Walmer
B-809	The Two Annes	2006–	Teignmouth
B-810	Tabbycat	2006–2008 2008–2012 2012–2021 2021–2022	Relief fleet Cowes Relief fleet Training fleet
B-811	Hylton Burdon	2007–2022	Cullercoats
B-812	Frank William Walton	2006–	Kilkeel
B-813	Muriel and Leslie	2006–	Port Erin
B-814	Sheila Stenhouse	2006–2008 2008–2009 2009–	Kirkcudbright Storage Kirkcudbright
B-815	Peterborough Beer Festival III	2006–2021 2021–2022 2022–	Relief fleet Margate Training fleet
B-816	David Page	2007–2022 2022–	St Helier Relief Fleet
B-817	Wolseley	2007–2024	Sunderland
B-818	The Oddfellows	2007–	Sheringham
B-819	Minnie and Ernest George Barry	2007–	Lough Swilly
B-820	Elizabeth Jane Palmer	2007–	Flamborough
B-821	Gladys Mildred	2007–2023	Newquay
B-822	Spirit of Friendship	2007–2009 2009 2009–2023	Aberystwyth Storage Aberystwyth
B-823	Doris Joan	2007–2023	Criccieth Lifeboat Station	Sold 2024, to Hornsea Rescue
B-824	Richard and Elizabeth Deaves	2007–2023	Minehead
B-825	Norma Ethel Vinall	2008–2020 2020–2022 2022–	Relief fleet Dart^[5] Training fleet
B-826	Sgt. Bob Martin (Civil Service No. 50)	2008–	Poole
B-827	Olive Laura Deare II	2008–	Gravesend
B-828	Elaine and Don Wilkinson	2008–	Silloth
B-829	Derrick Battle	2009–	Hayling Island
B-830	Douglas Murray	2008–2021 2021–	Relief fleet Weston-super-Mare
B-831	Joy Morris MBE	2009–	St Bees
B-832	Rose of The Shires	2009–	Porthcawl
B-833	Blue Peter V	2009–	Portaferry
B-834	William Henry Liddington	2009–	Bundoran
B-835	Martin Harvey	2009–	Relief fleet
B-836	Tommy Niven	2009–	Kinghorn
B-837	Charles Dibdin (Civil Service No.51)	2009–	New Brighton
B-838	Annette Mary Liddington	2010–	Beaumaris
B-839	Maureen Lillian	2010–	Penarth
B-840	Harold Bains	2010–2022 2022–	Training fleet Relief fleet
B-841	Eric W Wilson	2010–	St Catherine
B-842	Hello Herbie	2010–2015	Rye Harbour
B-843	Geoffrey Charles	2010–	Red Bay
B-844	Edith Louise Eastwick	2010–	Kilrush
B-845	James Dugdale	2010–2015 2015–	Relief fleet Training fleet
B-846	Norma T	2010–	Portsmouth
B-847	Hereford Endeavour	2010–	Trearddur Bay
B-848	Spirit of West Norfolk	2011–	Hunstanton
B-849	Tony and Robert Britt	2011–	Burnham-on-Crouch
B-850	Edna May	2011–	Relief fleet
B-851	Jimmie Cairncross	2012–	Queensferry
B-852	Random Harvest	2011–	Brighton
B-853	Binny	2011–	Galway
B-854	R.A.Wilson	2011–	Largs
B-855	Eric C Guest	2011–2016 2016–2020 2020 2020–	Relief fleet Training fleet Berwick-upon-Tweed (Evaluation) Relief fleet
B-856	Spirit of Fred. Olsen	2011–	Kyle of Lochalsh
B-857	Spirit of Loch Fyne	2012–	Lyme Regis
B-858	Leicester Challenge III	2012–	Redcar
B-859	Sheena Louise	2012–	Cowes
B-860	Max Walls	2012–	Calshot
B-861	Glanely	2012–	Appledore
B-862	James and Helen Mason	2012–	Tighnabruaich
B-863	David Porter MPS	2012–	Clacton-on-Sea
B-864	Richard Wake Burdon	2012–	Newbiggin
B-865	Malcolm and Mona Bennett-Williams	2012–	Relief fleet
B-866	Louis Simson	2013–	Skerries
B-867	William and Eleanor	2013–	Blackpool
B-868	Annie Tranmer	2013–	Southwold
B-869	Joyce King	2013–	Clifden
B-870	John and Louisa Fisher	2013–2021 2021–	Relief fleet Leverburgh (Evaluation)
B-871	Albatross	2013–	Cardigan
B-872	Toby Rundle	2014–	Clovelly
B-873	Robert and Isobel Mowat	2014–	Kessock
B-874	Robert Armstrong	2014–	Helvick Head
B-875	Alexander	2014–2015 2015–2017 2018–	Relief fleet Rye Harbour Relief fleet
B-876	Rachael Hedderwick	2014–	Arran (Lamlash)
B-877	Lewisco	2014–	Whitstable
B-878	Claire and David Delves	2014–	Ramsgate
B-879	Just George	2014–	West Mersea
B-880	Martin Frederick Whitehouse	2014–	Relief fleet
B-881	Solihull	2015–	Hartlepool
B-882	David Bradley	2015–	Lymington
B-883	Roy Snewin	2015–	Relief fleet
B-884	My Lady Anne	2015–	Portishead
B-885	Julia & Angus Wright	2016–	Southend-on-Sea
B-886	Peter and Ann Setten	2015–	Abersoch
B-887	Jacqueline Saville	2015–	Mablethorpe
B-888	Sheila & Dennis Tongue	2015–	Sligo Bay
B-889	Elizabeth and Maraget Milligan	2015–2019 2019–2024 2024–	Relief fleet St Peter Port Relief fleet
B-890	Gordon and Phil	2016–	Youghal
B-891	Renée Sherman	2016–	Littlehampton
B-892	John and Janet	2016–	Crosshaven
B-893	Mollie and Ivor Dent	2016–	Penlee
B-894	Sheila & Dennis Tongue II	2016–	Looe
B-895	Irene Cornford	2016–	Relief fleet
B-896	Hugh Miles	2016–	Aberdovey
B-897	Sheila & Dennis Tongue III	2016–	Staithes and Runswick
B-898	Susan Margaret Forsbrey	2017–	Relief fleet
B-899	Howard Bell	2017–2023 2023–2024 2024–	Happisburgh Relief fleet Aldeburgh (training)

B-900 – B-999

Op. No.^[b]	Name	In Service^[4]	Principal Station	Comments
B-900	Hello Herbie II	2017–	Rye Harbour
B-901	Enid Foster MBE	2017–	Relief fleet
B-902	Sheila & Dennis Tongue IV	2018–	Loch Ness
B-903	Angus and Muriel Mackay	2017–	Helensburgh
B-904	Douglas, Euan and Kay Richards	2017–	Carrybridge
B-905	Gladys Hilda Mustoe	2018–	Salcombe
B-906	Charles Lucock	2018–	Relief Fleet
B-907	Tierney Harvey & Sonny Reid	2018–	Harwich
B-908	Annabel E. Jones	2018–	Plymouth
B-909	Miss Sally Anne (Baggy) II Never Fear, Baggy's Here	2018–	Kinsale	^[6]
B-910	Rita Daphne Smyth	2018–	Baltimore
B-911	Jean Spier	2019–	Lough Derg
B-912	John and Jean Lewis	2018–	Enniskillin
B-913	Pride of Fred. Olsen	2019 2019 2019–2021 2021 2021–	Relief Fleet Stonehaven Relief Fleet Filey Berwick-upon-Tweed	^[7]
B-914	Doris Day and Brian	2019–	Burnham-on-Sea
B-915	The Missus Barrie	2019–	Burry Port
B-916	Robina Nixon Chard	2019–	Falmouth
B-917	Jack & Phyl Cleare	2021–	Weymouth
B-918	Ted Dawber	2019–	Relief Fleet
B-919	Jamie Hunter	2019–	Stonehaven
B-920	Tara Scougall	2019–	Lough Ree
B-921	Vivacious Atlantic	2019–	Relief Fleet
B-922	Jean McIvor	2020–	Littlestone-on-Sea
B-923	Patricia Southall	2021–	Blyth
B-924	Christine and Raymond Fielding	2021–	Union Hall
B-925	John Rowntree	2021–	Gt. Yarmouth & Gorleston
B-926	Julie Poole	2021–	Relief fleet
B-927	Dylan Rotchell	2021–2024 2024–	Relief fleet Arbroath
B-928	Marjorie Shepherd	2021–	Filey
B-929	Paul and Stella Rowsell	2021–	Relief fleet
B-930	Colonel Stock	2022–	Margate
B-931	Frank C Samworth	2022–	Dart	^[8]
B-932	Pamela Rosemary Dashwood	2022–	Relief fleet
B-933	Skipasund	2022–	Macduff	^[9]
B-934	The Spirit of St Helier	2022–	St Helier	^[10]
B-935	Daddy's Girl	2022–	Cullercoats
B-936	Uncle Johnny	2023–	Newquay	^[11]
B-937	Florence and Ernest Bowles	2023–	Aberystwyth
B-938	Frank Townley	2023–	Criccieth
B-939	Penny J II	2023–	Minehead	^[12]
B-940	Penny J		Berwick-upon-Tweed
B-941	Sam and Freda Parkinson	2024–	Relief fleet
B-942	Loving You		Cleethorpes
B-943	Harold Hobbs	2024–	St Peter Port	^[13]
B-944	Ruby Robinson	2024–	Bangor	^[14]
B-945	Seagil	2024–	Sunderland
B-946			Relief fleet
B-947			Teignmouth
B-948	Herietta H		Mudeford
B-949			Aldeburgh
B-950			Walmer

^ Op. No. is the RNLI's operational number of the boat
^ Op. No. is the RNLI's operational number of the boat

References

^ "B class Atlantic lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
^ "Atlantic 85 Details". RNLI. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2009.
^ "Inshore Lifeboat Centre - Repairs and overhauls". RNLI.org. RNLI. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
^ ^a ^b ^c Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.
^ "Our lifeboats". RNLI Dart Lifeboat. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
^ "Kinsale RNLI names new lifeboat in memory of donor, 'godmother' and friend". RNLI. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
^ "Fred. Olsen guests fund and name new RNLI lifeboat | RNLI". rnli.org. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
^ Haines, Emma (21 May 2023). "Dart RNLI volunteers officially name their new Atlantic 85 class lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
^ "Skipasund Lifeboat Arrives in Macduff". The Skipasund Foundation. Skipasund Foundation. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
^ "Jersey's RNLI takes delivery of new lifeboat – and it is immediately called into action". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
^ "Newquay RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew welcomes brand new B-Class lifeboat". RNLI. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
^ "Lifeboat named and revamped RNLI station officially opened in Minehead". West Somerset Free Press. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
^ "New Guernsey RNLI lifeboat honours volunteer killed in WW2". BBC. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
^ McAloon, Nuala (26 June 2024). "New Atlantic 85 class inshore lifeboat goes on service at Bangor RNLI". RNLI. Retrieved 6 August 2024.

External links

[5] Op. No. is the RNLI's operational number of the boat

[7] Op. No. is the RNLI's operational number of the boat

[B-class-1] "B class Atlantic lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 10 October 2024.

[2] "Atlantic 85 Details". RNLI. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2009.

[3] "Inshore Lifeboat Centre - Repairs and overhauls". RNLI.org. RNLI. Retrieved 14 April 2015.

[LBES-4] Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.

[6] "Our lifeboats". RNLI Dart Lifeboat. Retrieved 10 April 2021.

[B-909-8] "Kinsale RNLI names new lifeboat in memory of donor, 'godmother' and friend". RNLI. Retrieved 26 August 2018.

[9] "Fred. Olsen guests fund and name new RNLI lifeboat | RNLI". rnli.org. Retrieved 31 January 2019.

[B-931-10] Haines, Emma (21 May 2023). "Dart RNLI volunteers officially name their new Atlantic 85 class lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 9 April 2024.

[B-933-11] "Skipasund Lifeboat Arrives in Macduff". The Skipasund Foundation. Skipasund Foundation. Retrieved 9 April 2024.

[B-934-12] "Jersey's RNLI takes delivery of new lifeboat – and it is immediately called into action". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 30 November 2022.

[B-936-13] "Newquay RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew welcomes brand new B-Class lifeboat". RNLI. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2024.

[B-939-14] "Lifeboat named and revamped RNLI station officially opened in Minehead". West Somerset Free Press. Retrieved 9 October 2023.

[B-943-15] "New Guernsey RNLI lifeboat honours volunteer killed in WW2". BBC. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.

[D-889-16] McAloon, Nuala (26 June 2024). "New Atlantic 85 class inshore lifeboat goes on service at Bangor RNLI". RNLI. Retrieved 6 August 2024.

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