The Arun-class lifeboat was a fast all-weather lifeboat designed by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for service at its stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland. They were operated by the RNLI between 1971 and 2008. Many have been sold to see further service in the lifeboat and coastguard services of other countries.
The class takes its name from the River Arun in Sussex, England.
The RNLI's first lifeboat capable of speeds in excess of 10kn was the 14kn boats introduced in 1967. This was based on an American design, but in 1971 it was supplemented by the Arun class which was designed by the RNLI and gave vastly improved accommodation and increased the speed to .[1]
The first prototype boat entered service at in 1972 but moved on to where it was stationed until 1997. Two more boats were introduced in 1973 and 1974 and then full production started in 1975 although small numbers of Waveney-class boats were still built until 1982. By 1990, 46 Arun-class boats had been launched. The following year saw the launch of the first - and boats.[2]
The three prototype boats were withdrawn between 1994 and 1997, the third of which then went on display at the National Lifeboat Museum. The production series boats were taken out of regular service between 1998 and 2007. While a few have found new uses around the coast of Great Britain, the majority have been sold to other lifeboat operators around the world, predominantly in China, Finland and Iceland[2] and some further boats were built new for service in Canada and Greece.[3] Those travelling long distances go as deck cargo on larger ships but those going to closer harbours are generally sailed across under their own power. The first boat to go to Iceland, Richard Evans, was loaded as deck cargo on a container ship but was washed overboard during the passage – the only Arun to have been lost at sea.[4]
After their RNLI service, 35 boats joined other fleets to continue their service as lifeboats. As of Dec 2023, it is thought that 12 are still in service, with 2 under restoration.
The design was developed for the RNLI by J.A. MacLachlan working for naval architects G.L. Watson of Glasgow. Initially proposed with chines along the hull to disperse the spray and improve stability when underway at speed, this caused a high deck above water which proved difficult when trying to get people aboard from the water, so the chines were dispensed with on the second boat and the deck curved down nearer the water.[5] The first three boats were built with wooden hulls[6] and were respectively 51inchesft7inchesin (ftin), 52feet and 54feet long, the extra length due to a rounded transom. All differed in superstructure design, 52-01 having a raked back superstructure front with the flying bridge at the after end. 52-02 introduced forward raked wheelhouse windscreens, had a unique wheelhouse side window pattern and retained the aft mounted flying bridge. On 52-03, the flying bridge was moved to the forward end of the wheelhouse, the front of which was rounded. From 54-04, the forward flying bridge was standardised and the forward raked wheelhouse windscreens were reintroduced. The side windows were recessed from the superstructure sides. 54-04 had a Glass Reinforce Plastic hull and this was standardised for future boats. 54-04 to 54-07 retained the rounded transon but from 52-08 a square transom was reintroduced. The final external change came with 52-11 which had flush sided forward wheelhouse windows and this was a feature of all subsequent boats. In 1986 52-030 (ON 1100) became the only steel-hulled Arun. It was regarded as the best of the class for seakeeping, although the slowest. The GRP hulls were moulded in blue material in the outer skin. After a while it was found that water was accumulating in the fibreglass which added up to two tons to the weight. The boats had the coloured layer stripped off and replaced by a new one made with clear gel which reduced the amount of water absorbed.[5] The large watertight cabin gave it self-righting capability. Two survivor cabins are situated below decks where first aid and emergency equipment is stowed. The hull is divided into 26 watertight compartments as protection against sinking should it be holed. There is also a flying bridge above the main cabin with an auxiliary steering position which can be used when additional height or visibility is required during an operation. The boat won a Design Council award in 1982.[6]
Two Caterpillar D343 460hp diesel engines were fitted to boats up 52-14, subsequent boats being fitted with two Caterpillar 3408TA 485hp . Fuel tanks have 620impgal capacity which gives an operating range of 250nmi.[6]
| ON | Op. No. | Name | Built | In service | Principal stations | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1018 | 52-01 | Arun | 1971 | 1974–1997 | Sold 1997. Renamed Arun Adventurer, commercial use at Dundee. December 2022, pleasure boat, Roermond, Limburg, Netherlands[7] Sold 2023 | ||
| 1025 | 52-02 | Sir William Arnold | 1973 | 1973–1997 | , rescue of 29, Motor ship ‘Bonita’ on 13 December 1981.[8] Sold 1998, Pleasure boat at Cork until 2014. Sold 2019, returned to name Sir William Arnold. June 2022, Floating education experience at Heybridge Basin, Essex | ||
| 1037 | 54-03 | Edward Bridges (Civil Service No. 37) | 1974 | 1975–1994 | On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard from April 1996 | ||
| 1049 | 54-04 | Tony Vandervell | 1976 | 1975–1999 | Sold 1999. Finnish Lifeboat Institution PR Mac Elliot | ||
| 1050 | 54-05 | B.P. Forties | 1975 | 1975–1998 | Sold 1998. Iceland SAR 2310 | ||
| 1051 | 54-06 | The Gough Ritchie | 1976 | 1976–1998 | Sold 1998. Chile SAR CB-8891 | ||
| 1052 | 54-07 | 1976 | 1977–1987 1991–1998 | Gold Medal Service, Rescue of 4, Panamanian motor vessel Revi 14 February 1979. [9] Sold 1998. Ship's tender in Sweden/Finland | |||
| 1053 | 52-08 | Joy and John Wade | 1977 | 1977–2001 | Sold 2002. Iceland SAR 2542 | ||
| 1056 | 52-09 | Spirit of Tayside | 1978 | 1978–1999 | Sold 1999. Australia SAR PS40 | ||
| 1057 | 52-10 | Soldian | 1978 | 1978–1997 1998–1999 1999–2001 | Relief fleet | Sold 2002. Iceland SAR 2541 | |
| 1058 | 52-11 | Elizabeth Ann | 1979 | 1979–2001 | Sold 2002. Australia SAR Ulladulla 30 | ||
| 1059 | 52-12 | Walter and Margaret Couper | 1979 | 1979–2001 | Sold 2001. June 2002, Finnish Lifeboat Institution SAR-vessel Arvinsilmä and later Russarö. | ||
| 1061 | 52-13 | George and Olive Turner | 1980 | 1980–2000 | Sold 2000. Iceland SAR 2474 | ||
| 1062 | 52-14 | Edith Emilie | 1980 | 1980–1999 | Relief fleet | Sold 1999. Pilot boat at Montrose August 2021, Unaltered Workboat Mare Rosa at Mgarr harbour, Gozo, Malta | |
| 1067 | 52-15 | Hyman Winstone | 1980 | 1980–1985 1985–1998 1998–2002 | Relief fleet Relief fleet | Sold 2003. Madeira SAR, name unknown. | |
| 1070 | 52-16 | Richard Evans | 1981 | 1981–2000 2000–2003 | Relief fleet | Sold 2003 to Iceland SAR but wrecked during delivery. | |
| 1071 | 52-17 | Sir Max Aitken | 1981 | 1981–2002 | Relief fleet | Sold 2003. Renamed RSC Maximus, MOD Pendine Range Safety Vessel Sold 2019, Renamed Harvest Moon. Mar 2021, Converted to live-aboard, Port Medway Marina, Kent | |
| 1073 | 52-18 | Robert Edgar | 1981 | 1981–1997 1997–2002 | Relief fleet | Sold 2003. 2021 purchased by Skipper Training NZ for training commercial mariners, Nelson, New Zealand, named 52-18, still in RNLI livery | |
| 1076 | 52-19 | Marie Winstone | 1981 | 1981–1994 1995–2002 | Sold 2002. Finnish Lifeboat Institution SAR-vessel PR Torbay | ||
| 1077 | 52-20 | Duchess of Kent | 1982 | 1982–2002 | Relief fleet | Sold 2003. Madeira (Portugal) SAR, renamed Salvador do Mar. | |
| 1078 | 52-21 | The Davina and Charles Matthew Hunter | 1982 | 1982–2001 2001–2003 | Relief fleet | Sold 2003. Iceland SAR 2593 | |
| 1081 | 52-22 | Ralph and Bonella Farrant | 1982 | 1982–1994 1994–1999 1999–2003 | Relief fleet Relief fleet | Sold 2005. China SAR Hua Ying 393 | |
| 1082 | 52-23 | Margaret Frances Love | 1982 | 1983–1996 1997–2003 | Sold 2005. China SAR Hua Ying 398 | ||
| 1085 | 52-24 | Mabel Alice | 1982 | 1983–2003 2003 | Relief fleet | Sold 2004. Renamed Strathclyde, with Strathclyde Police. Trip boat at Portishead. November 2021, Renamed Mabel Alice, Pilot/Lifeboat at Puerto Natales, Chile | |
| 1086 | 52-25 | A.J.R. & L.G. Uridge | 1983 | 1983–2003 | Relief fleet | Sold 2003. Finnish Lifeboat Institution SAR-vessel PR Hebe | |
| 1092 | 52-26 | St Brendan | 1984 | 1984–2001 | Sold 2003. Renamed Irish Mist. December 2022, Private Ownership, Ramsey, IOM | ||
| 1093 | 52-27 | Charles Brown | 1984 | 1984–2005 | Sold 2005. China SAR Hua Ying 396 | ||
| 1098 | 52-28 | Sir Max Aitken II | 1984 | 1984–1999 1999–2004 2004–2005 | Relief fleet | Sold 2005. China SAR Hua Ying 385 | |
| 1099 | 52-29 | The Joseph Rothwell Sykes and Hilda M | 1984 | 1984–1998 1998–2002 | Relief fleet | Sold 2002. Finnish Lifeboat Institution SAR-vessel PR Janne Malén | |
| 1100 | Snolda | 1986 | 1986–1998 1998–2007 | Relief fleet | Sold 2007. Iceland SAR 2743 | ||
| 1103 | 52-31 | Newsbuoy | 1984 | 1984–2004 2002–2003 2003–2004 | Relief fleet Relief fleet | Sold 2005. Faroe Islands SAR XPZX | |
| 1106 | 52-32 | 1985 | 1985–1999 1999-2003 | Relief fleet | Sold 2006. China SAR Hua Ying 394 | ||
| 1107 | 52-33 | City of Belfast | 1985 | 1985–2003 | Sold 2005. China SAR Huaying 395 | ||
| 1108 | 52-34 | 1984 | 1986–2002 2002–2004 | Relief fleet | Sold 2004. Iceland SAR 2638 | ||
| 1113 | 52-35 | City of Dublin | 1986 | 1986–2003 | Sold 2004. Iceland SAR 2629 | ||
| 1118 | 52-36 | Roy and Barbara Harding | 1987 | 1987–1997 1997–2004 | Sold 2004. Iceland SAR 2623 | ||
| 1123 | 52-37 | Kenneth Thelwall | 1987 | 1987–1997 1997–2003 2003–2004 | Relief fleet | Sold 2005. China SAR Hua Ying 399 | |
| 1134 | 52-38 | City of Glasgow III | 1987 | 1987–2005 | Sold 2005. Iceland SAR 2679 | ||
| 1135 | 52-39 | Mickie Salvensen | 1988 | 1988–1998 1998–2000 2000–2003 2003–2006 | Relief fleet | Sold 2006. Iceland SAR 2681 | |
| 1136 | 52-40 | City of Plymouth | 1987 | 1988–2004 | Sold 2004. Iceland SAR 2637 | ||
| 1143 | 52-41 | Ann Lewis Fraser | 1988 | 1988–1998 1998–2003 2003–2004 | Relief fleet | Sold 2005. China SAR Hua Ying 392 | |
| 1144 | 52-42 | Murray Lornie | 1988 | 1989–2005 | Sold 2005. Iceland SAR 2683 | ||
| 1149 | 52-43 | The Queen Mother | 1989 | 1989–2009 | Sold 2009. Montevideo Pilot Association, Uruguay as Ederra 4[10] | ||
| 1150 | 52-44 | Hibernia | 1989 | 1989–2007 | Relief fleet | Sold 2007. China SAR Hua Ying 390 | |
| 1159 | 52-45 | Mabel Williams | 1990 | 1990–1998 1998–2007 | Relief fleet | Sold 2007. China SAR Hua Ying 391 | |
| 1160 | 52-46 | Duke of Atholl | 1990 | 1990–1999 1999–1999 1999–2003 2003–2004 2004–2008 | Relief fleet Relief fleet Relief fleet | Sold 2007. Iceland SAR 2742 |
Operated by the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol, later Marine Rescue NSW
| RNLI ON | Name | ID | In Service | Station | MMSI[11] | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1056 | PV Danial Thain | PS40 | Port Stephens | 503277900 | Danial Thain owned by ECA Maritime College based in Brisbane, Queensland.[12] | |
| 1058 | Encounter | Ulladulla 30 | 2002–2013 | Ulladula | 503003630 | Pleasure/CG Boat, Hope Island Marina, Queensland |
Ten 15.77m (51.74feet) boats were built for the Canadian Coast Guard[3] between 1989 and 1996.
The first, a GRP-hulled British-built prototype (CCGS Bickerton) was built by Halmatic, Southampton.[13]
The remaining 9 boats were all built in Canada by Industrie Raymond Ltée of Sept-Iles, Quebec; East Isle Shipyard Ltd. of Georgetown, Prince Edward Island; and Hike Metals & Shipbuilding Ltd. of Wheatley, Ontario, all with aluminium hulls. They are considered "high endurance" lifeboats staffed by a crew of four.
The Canadian Coast Guard also maintains approximately three dozen smaller s.[14] They are considered "medium endurance" lifeboats.
| CCGS ON [15] | Name | Call Sign | In Service | Station | MMSI[16] | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 825043 | Bickerton | CG3011 | Bickerton East, NS | 316001619 | Decommissioned. November 2023, at Samsons shipyard, Petit De Grat in Cape Breton, For Sale | |
| 815532 | Spindrift | CG2260 | 1992–2023 | Louisbourg, NS | 316001785 | November 2023, Training vessel at the Canadian Coast Guard College, in Sydney, Nova Scotia. |
| 816536 | Spray | CGVF | 1994–2023 2023– | Dartmouth, NS Relief fleet | 316001617 | |
| 816537 | Courtney Bay | CG2240 | 1994–2023 2023– | St John, NB Relief fleet | 316001621 | |
| 817948 | W. Jackman | CG3068 | 1994–2023 | Burin, NL | 316003310 | November 2023, For Sale |
| 817949 | W.G. George | CG3064 | 1994– | Burgeo, NL | 316001367 | |
| 819269 | Clark's Harbour | CG2612 | 1995–2023 | Clark's Harbour, NS | 316001616 | November 2023, at Canadian Coast Guard College, in Sydney, Nova Scotia, For Sale / Breaking for spares. |
| 819270 | CG2682 | 1996–2023 2023– | Relief fleet | 316001604 | ||
| 819305 | Sambro | CG2613 | 1996–2023 2023– | Sambro, NS Relief fleet | 316001601 | |
| 820275 | Westport | CG2388 | 1996– | Westport, NS | 316001892 | |
Operated by Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile
| RNLI ON | Name | In Service | Station | MMSI | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1081 | 2006– | Fuzhou | |||
| 1082 | Hua Ying 398 | 2005– | Donghai, Shanghai | 413770296 | Last Seen 31 December 2019 Shanghai |
| 1093 | Hua Ying 396 | 2006– | Shenzhen | 100880564 | Last Seen 29 July 2021 Beihai |
| 1098 | Hua Ying 397 | 2006– | Zhangjiang | ||
| 1106 | Hua Ying 395 | 2006– | Dalian | ||
| 1107 | Hua Ying 394 | 2006– | Dalian | ||
| 1123 | Hua Ying 399 | 2006– | Wenzhou, Zhejiang | 413770297 | Last seen 12 October 2018 Wenzhou |
| 1143 | Hua Ying 392 | 2006– | Shantou | ||
| 1150 | Hua Ying 390 | 2007– | Waigaoqiao | 413770293 | Still active, December 2023 Lianyungang |
| 1159 | Hua Ying 391 | 2007– | Donghai | 413770294 | Still active, December 2023 Xiamen |
Operated by Norðoya Bjargingarfelag
Operated by the Finnish Lifeboat Institution
| RNLI ON | Name | In Service | Station | MMSI | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1049 | PR Mac Elliot | 1999–2008 2008–2013 | Porkkala, Porvoo | 273349590 | Sold. September 2022, Renamed Barrakuda. Hydrographic survey boat, Kronstadt, St Petersburg, Russia |
| 1059 | Arvinsilmä Russarö | 2001–2002 2002–2013 | Hanko | 273296760 | Sold November 2013 to Russia for SAR operations in Kronstadt. Modernized in 2014 and renamed as Murena (Moray). November 2022, Pleasure Vessel at Murmansk, Russia |
| 1076 | PR Torbay | 2002– | Kaskinen | 230983310 | |
| 1086 | PR Hebe | 2013–2020 | Kemi Hanko | 276010130 | Sold 2020. Renamed Habe. SAR at Hundipea, Tallin, Estonia. |
| 1099 | PR Janne Malén | 2002– | Uusikaupunki | 230983340 | |
The Greek boats were built in Greece by MotoMarine with GRP hulls.[18] Ten are in service with the Hellenic Coast Guard.
The Slysavarnafélagið Landsbjörg (Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue) was founded in 1999 after merging the Slysavarnafélag Íslands (National Life-saving Association of Iceland) and Landsbjörg (Association of rescue teams) and has responsibility for rescue operations in Iceland. The Slysavarnafélagið Landsbjörg (ICE-SAR) is divided into both land and sea rescue teams and with main office in Reykjavík. ICE-SAR has a fleet of all weather lifeboats, FRC and rescue boats around the coast of Iceland.[19]
| RNLI ON | Name Changes when boat assigned to different port | ICE-SAR | In Service | Station | MMSI | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1050 | Oddur V. Gíslason Hannes Þ Hafsteinn Jón Oddgeir | 2310 | 1998–2007 2007–2014 2014–2015 | Grindavík Sandgerði Reykjavík | 251404110 | Relief Fleet from 2008. Sold 2016. Renamed Valur, Fish Farm Support Vessel, Iceland Sold 2023. Renamed The Lady, at Hafnarfjörður |
| 1053 | Björg | 2542 | 2002–2019 | Rif | 244547000 | Sold. Renamed Proteus, Dive, Support & Rescue Vessel, Tender and Marine Services, Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| 1057 | 2541 | Reykjavík | 251275110 | Formerly in use by Ársæll SAR team. Sold to Tender and Marine Services, Rotterdam, Netherlands. November, 2023, Still in Iceland | ||
| 1061 | Gunnar Friðriksson Jón Oddgeir | 2474 | 2000–2008 2008–2011 | Njarðvík Reykjavík | Relief fleet from March 2008. Out of Service 2011. Reported damaged beyond repair, disposed of 2015. | |
| 1078 | Einar Sigurjónsson Hannes Þ Hafsteinn | 2593 | 2003–2014 2015–2023 | Hafnarfjörður Sandgerði | 231874000 | Sold 2023. Renamed Herborg, Pilot Boat, Klaksvik, Faroe Is. |
| 1100 | Oddur V. Gíslason | 2743 | 2007– | Grindavík | 251811110 | Steel Hull |
| 1108 | Ingibjörg | 2638 | 2005– | Höfn | 251363110 | In use by Björgunarfélag Hornafjarðar, SAR team |
| 1113 | Hafbjörg Ásgrímur St. Björnsson Hannes Þ Hafsteinn | 2629 | 2004–2021 2021–2023 2023– | Neskaupstaður Reykjavík Sandgerði | 251169740 | |
| 1118 | Gunnbjörg | 2623 | 2004– | Raufarhöfn | 251448110 | Replacement for ON 1070 lost on passage |
| 1134 | Sveinbjörn Sveinsson | 2679 | 2006– | Vopnafjörður | 251545110 | |
| 1135 | Vörður II | 2681 | 2006– | Patreksfjörður | 251778110 | |
| 1136 | Húnabjörg | 2637 | 2005– | Skagaströnd | 251169840 | |
| 1144 | Sigurvin | 2683 | 2006–2023 | Siglufjörður | Sold 2023 to Kuummiit, Greenland. | |
| 1160 | Gunnar Friðriksson Björg | 2742 | 2008–2019 2019– | Ísafjörður Rif | 251297110 | |
Operated by SANAS Madeira
| RNLI ON | Name | In Service | Station | MMSI | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1067 | ? | Porto Santo | December 2018, On hardstanding at Canical 2023, Undergoing restoration[20] | ||
| 1077 | 2003– | Centro de Salvamento Costeiro, Santa Cruz de Tenerife | 255670650 | 2023, Undergoing restoration | |