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Royal National Lifeboat Institution News

04 Jan 2024

RNLI Selects SKYDEX for Shock Mitigating Kneeling Decks

Source: SKYDEX

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has selected SKYDEX Technologies to provide their shock mitigating kneeling decks to protect crews aboard their D Class Lifeboats.The D Class lifeboat is the busiest in the RNLI's fleet. However, due to its compact size and difficult operating environment, the crews aboard these craft are exposed to impacts and whole-body vibration, causing discomfort and reducing performance. In response, the RNLI launched an initiative to improve craft equipment to better protect their crew.Working with the RNLI…

05 Jul 2023

Cold Water Can Kill in Minutes

Source: MAIB

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has highlighted that, on average, crew have under 11 minutes to recover someone who has fallen overboard into cold water before they become unresponsive.An analysis of 20 accidents that occurred between 2017 and 2021 shows that the time decreases as the water becomes colder or the sea state rougher. In some cases, crew had just four or five minutes to coordinate a complex recovery.When examining the rate of successful recoveries…

07 Sep 2021

Young Children Among Migrants Rescued from English Channel

© staoist520 / Adobe Stock

Two small children were among the dozens of migrants rescued from the English Channel on Tuesday after a summer that has seen record numbers attempt the dangerous journey from France.This year, hundreds of boats carrying migrants have attempted the dangerous crossing from France to England, often in small, inflatable dinghies that get into difficulties in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.On one day in August, at least 482 migrants crossed the Channel by boat, a record daily number.Reuters witnesses on Tuesday saw two boats arrive at the headland of Dungeness in Kent…

21 Oct 2020

Video: Disabled Cargo Ship Rescued in Heavy Seas off Ireland

(Photo: RNLI)

Three rescue craft came to the aid of a disabled cargo ship adrift in heavy seas and in danger of hitting the rocks off the Irish coast.The Antigua Barbuda-flagged general cargo vessel Lily B reported to MRCC Dublin Tuesday afternoon that it had lost power off the Waterford Harbor, southeast of Ireland.The Irish Coast Guard called upon three Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboats from Dunmore East, Kilmore Quay and Rosslare to aid the drifting vessel until a tug could arrive.Dunmore East's Trent…

23 Apr 2020

NEXT GEN Shock Mitigation Solutions Workshop Rescheduled

The NEXT GEN Shock Mitigation Solutions Workshop has been rescheduled to October 6, 2020. The program and format will remain the same and the majority of attendees have confirmed their availability for the new date at the Grand Harbour hotel, Southampton UK.Workshop Lead, John Haynes said, “Whilst we are living in challenging times, we believe it is still important to make plans for the future. Our focus is on viable innovation and using people’s time effectively. There is no…

03 Apr 2020

RNLI Selects Shock Mitigating Seats for Refit Project

Photo courtesy of SHOXS

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has selected SHOXS suspension systems to refit and upgrade the charity’s Severn class lifeboats.Introduced to the RNLI in 1995, the 17-meter Severn class lifeboats are the largest lifeboats in the RNLI fleet and are designed to handle the toughest weather. The RNLI has chosen SHOXS 4800 variant seats for the coxswain, helm, mechanic, navigators, doctor and crew and plans to refit up to 44 Severn class lifeboats with SHOXS seating.“The volunteer crews of the RNLI head out when sea conditions are at their worst.

23 Apr 2020

In 2020 Boat Operators can Collide or Engage with the Future

UPDATE [April 23]: This event has been rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will be held October 6, 2020. More information is available here.Devices, apps and digital are coming fast at sea. As simple and cost effective technology solutions become available for boats, the NEXT GEN Shock Mitigation Workshop brings decision makers together to highlight the burning issues today and identify viable solutions for the future.Repetitive Shock and Whole Body Vibration (RS & WBV) has kept scientists busy in recent years.

18 Apr 2019

Design: RNLI’s Shannon Class Lifeboat

The RNLI has also introduced a new launch and recovery tractor, designed in conjunction with high-mobility-vehicles specialist Supacat Ltd, specifically for use with the Shannon. It acts as a mobile slipway.  Pictured is the Hoylake, UK Shannon class lifeboat being recovered from the sea. (Photo: RNLI/Dave James)

The latest lifeboat to join the fleet of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the main sea rescue service in the UK and Ireland, is the waterjet-propelled Shannon class, which the organization says is its most agile and maneuverable all-weather lifeboat yet to be deployed. Designed entirely in-house by RNLI engineers, cutting-edge technology has been used in this new boat to meet modern-day rescue service demands following the lead taken with the RNLI’s introduction of the Shannon’s sister lifeboat class…

29 Mar 2019

Eye on Innovation: RNLI's L&R Tractor

In conjunction with the creation of the new Shannon class lifeboat, the RNLI has also introduced a new launch and recovery tractor, designed in conjunction with high-mobility-vehicles specialist Supacat Ltd, specifically for use with the Shannon. It acts as a mobile slipway.  Pictured is the Hoylake, UK Shannon class lifeboat being recovered from the sea. (Photo: RNLI/Dave James)

Coming in the April 2019 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News we report on the latest lifeboat to join the fleet of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the main sea rescue service in the UK and Ireland, the waterjet-propelled Shannon class, RNLI says is its most agile and maneuverable all-weather lifeboat yet to be deployed.While the vessel and it's capabilities are amazing, we really like the new launch and recovery system. A special feature of the Shannon lifeboat…

25 Feb 2019

NEXT GEN 2019: Burning Issues and Cutting Edge Marine Safety

NEXT GEN Presenters (Photo: Shock Mitigation)

3 One Day Workshops - Southampton UK April 2-4, 2019As the digital age rapidly arrives all around us, it (or IT) may have overlooked that safety at sea is still all about people. To meet the changing requirements of modern fleets, smart organizations and specialist equipment manufacturers now need to work together to blend traditional safety methods with innovation.A unique program of three specialist safety days for the sub IMO / sub 80 feet professional sector is being held back-to-back at the Grand Harbor overlooking the port of Southampton UK this April.

12 Nov 2018

Traditional and Innovative Marine Solutions In Focus

Three one-day workshops - Southampton, U.K. - April 2-4, 2019NEXT GEN 2019 is a series of specialist one-day workshops run back-to-back on April 2-4, 2019. The program combines hot topics and international maritime experts with dynamic panel discussions. The Grand Harbor is a conference venue overlooking the historic port of Southampton, U.K. Workshop Lead John Haynes said, "In recent years less people are expected to do more work and time is becoming scarce for everyone in the marine industry.

16 Oct 2017

Maritime Professionals See the Future Coming Fast

Maritime professionals from all sectors operating sub IMO / sub 80 feet vessels are invited to participate in three one-day NEXT GENERATION Workshops. The dynamic program is being held at the Grand Harbour conference venue, overlooking the port of Southampton U.K., on October 24, 25 and 26, 2017. The NEXT GEN Workshops each address aspects of operational safety for vessels, along with the safety and welfare of their crew and passengers. The high level group of presenters brings a wide range of experience and expertise from sectors including workboats…

03 May 2017

Maritime Professionals Ask the Hard Questions

More than 80 maritime professionals attended two unique one day events focused on the sub IMO / sub 24 meter sector in Southampton this April. The fast moving and dynamic one day workshops brought together an international group of experts armed with the latest knowledge to identify problems that affect the maritime sector worldwide. The superb team of presenters shared unique insights and highlighted potential solutions for a changing world. Workshop lead John Haynes said, “The format of these one day events is shaped by our experience and is constantly evolving.

23 Feb 2016

Migrant Rescue: IMRF To Support Aegean Services

Bruce Reid (Photo: IMRF)

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) is to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of the Hellenic Rescue Team (HRT), an IMRF member organization which is constantly rescuing migrants in the Aegean Sea. The IMRF will do this with the support of European maritime search and rescue (SAR) organizations who are also IMRF members. Following a temporary drop in the number of people trying to reach the Greek islands by sea in November, figures from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) are showing an increase again.

22 Jul 2014

Engine Performs in Roll Over Test

The rescue vessel Nh 1816 is rolled over during a recent test with KNRM.

Engines customized for new Dutch search-and-rescue lifeboat vessels keep running after full rotation on axis. In thrashing, unforgiving seas, a capsized rescue vessel used to be a symbol of defeat. To withstand harsh conditions, sea vessels are designed to right themselves when overturned, but even more critical is the ability of the engines powering those vessels to withstand the 360-degree rollover with no compromise to performance. In these situations, the durability and resilience of a marine engine can be the difference between a rescue or a recovery.

27 May 2014

Canada's CLI Christen New Lifeboat

The Canadian Lifeboat Institution (CLI) has taken delivery of a Tyne-class lifeboat from UK's RNLI and renamed the rescue vessel 'Fraser Lifeboat', informs the Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia. The Fraser Lifeboat originally entered service in 1987 as Famous Grouse for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). During her first career, the Tyne-class boat is credited with 363 launches leading to the rescue of 475 people and the saving of 37 lives. She was carried to Vancouver on board the vessel Star Lima due to the generosity of Grieg Star Shipping and following which the boat has been extensively overhauled to ensure reliability for her new role.

21 May 2014

IADC Presents Sea Safety Awards

IADC Safety Award winner 2014

The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), North Sea Chapter once again recognized the very best in safety performance at its annual Safety Awards Ceremony held in Aberdeen. Julian Hall of Ensco, North Sea Chapter Chairman, said that it was important to recognize the contributions of individuals, teams and companies to the continuing safety of the industry. “It has not been an easy year, with safety dominated by understandable concerns regarding helicpter reliability.

15 Apr 2014

New E2S System Signals Lifeboat Launch

U.K. signalling manufacturer E2S Warning Signals has designed and developed a bespoke siren system to alert people nearby when an RNLI lifeboat is launching. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is the charity that saves lives at sea. It has 236 lifeboat stations around the coasts of the U.K. and Ireland. Its lifeboats are crewed by specially trained volunteers, who carry pagers. When the pager goes off, alerting them to an emergency at sea, they drop everything and rush to the station to launch the lifeboat.

13 Jan 2014

Irish Coast Guard Upgrades Entire Helicopter Fleet

Photo: Irish COast Guard

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar officially launched the Coast Guard’s new state-of-the-art S92 search and rescue helicopter for the Dublin region in Weston Airport. This is the fourth Sikorsky S92 helicopter base to come into operation for the Coast Guard and means all four Coast Guard bases now have upgraded helicopters. The new S92 helicopters replace the Sikorsky S61 which was in use until recently at the Coast Guard bases in Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford.

26 Nov 2013

IMO Honors Acts of Bravery

USCG aviation survival technicians Randy Haba and Daniel Todd were awarded for the rescue of 14 crew members aboard HMS Bounty during Hurricane Sandy.

American rescuers and a Chinese seafarer have been presented with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea 2013, during a special ceremony held on November 25, 2013 at IMO Headquarters in London. Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Randy J. Haba and Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Daniel J. Todd of the United States Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, were nominated by the Government of the United States…

16 Oct 2013

Lifeboat Crews Conclude Training Program

www.maritimerescue.org

A seven day Lifeboat Crew Exchange Program involving rescue volunteers from nine countries has proved to be a fulfilling training exercise for all 55 participants. With the aim of exchanging knowledge, sharing ideas and building relationships between the voluntary institutions, the project is designed to help reduce the number of people losing their lives in Europe’s waters. Instigated by the International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) and the Search and Rescue (SAR) organization KNRM from the Netherlands, the program has four clear objectives.

29 Aug 2013

ACR Win RNLI Personal Locator Beacon Contract

Tamar-class Lifeboat: Photo credit RNLI

ACR's ResQLink Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) was recently selected as the product of choice by the UK's Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to keep their lifeboat crews safe. Chosen because of its superior operational and technical performance and single handed re-useable antenna deployment, the ACR ResQLink will be issued to all lifeboat crew members for fitment to their life jackets. RNLI crewmembers will now have the additional protection of ACR PLBs. The ACR ResQLink…

15 Jul 2013

Robert Allan Design New Canadian Coast Guard SAR Lifeboats

Canadian Coast Guard SAR Lifeboat: Photo courtesy of Robert Allan

Robert Allan Ltd. has designed a new generation of more capable High Endurance Self-righting Search & Rescue Lifeboats for the Canadian Coast Guard. This new design was developed from the successful similar vessels known as the “Severn” Class operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) of the United Kingdom. The new Canadian design is larger with a greater range than the RNLI vessel and has been specifically designed to handle the worst weather encountered year around in the waters off Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.