Quote:
Originally Posted by havener
It never fails to amaze my why the RNLI keep feeling the need to reinvent the wheel.
They do many things brilliantly, but surely the logical thing to do is rather than create / evaluate / redefine / test / build a new waterjet boat, simply use their current close links with the Dutch and develop their classes.
Not intended to have a go at the RNLI, but it does puzzle me....
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The Rnli had water jet lifeboats back in the victorian times though steam engine powered so yes its not a new idea.
they even trialled Hovercraft in the 1960s
problem with the uk coast line unlike the Netherlands is that it is such a varied one ,biggest worry for the rnli was that waterjets would not work well in airated water such as in big surf close to rocks but going by the video it looks like the boat handled well in the conditions that it was used in ,
another reason was trialing the new F.A.B. boat in high speed emergency beaching ,to say get a casualty fast to a waiting ambulance rather that a longer run back to harbour or the station one advantage with having no exposed props ,even though the soon to be replaced mersey class has prop tunnels it was still prone to damage, and could not do a high speed beaching run .
just as a matter of intrest the new hulls are now expected to have a lifespan of 50 years .
suppose its also like the development from the Atlantic 21 with 50 hp engines ,then as more equipment was added bigger engines fitted until the bigger hull was needed and the 75 and now the 85 .
pity the Rnli dident keep the Medina r.i.b in the first place .
mart
Alca Torda
Razorbill
Tystie
Do they bolt on /off on those? There's a mahoosive Ocean Dynamics sat outside Mustang in Pembroke Dock....Thames somthing or other.....are you staying in the Dock itself? I may be popping over that way next weekend....you working Sat?
