H-class lifeboat explained

H-class rescue hovercraft ^[1] serve the shores of the United Kingdom as a part of the RNLI inshore fleet. A modified Type 470TD design built by Griffon Hoverwork, they were developed to operate in tidal areas such as Morecambe Bay, where strandings by incoming tides can have fatal consequences; and in waters too shallow for normal craft.

Hovercraft were also assigned to three other stations,,, and . In 2016, the New Brighton Hovercraft H-005 Hurley Spirit was reassigned to .

In 2023, trials were carried out by the RNLI, assisted by the team at Hoylake station, to evaluate different crafts being considered as a potential successor to the current hovercraft.^[2]

Fleet

Op.No.	Name	In service^[3]	Principal Station	Comments
H-001	Molly Rayner	2002–	Relief fleet	^[4]
		2002–		^[5]
H-003	Hunstanton Flyer (Civil Service No.45)	2003–		^[6]
H-004	Vera Ravine	2004–		^[7]
H-005	Hurley Spirit	2004–2016 2016–		^[8]
H-006	John Russell	2005–	Relief fleet	^[9]
H-007	Samburgh	2009–	Relief fleet

External links

RNLI Fleet

Notes and References

Web site: Rescue hovercraft . RNLI . 1 November 2022.
Web site: Hoylake RNLI trial new hovercraft models . Wirral Globe . 3 September 2023.
Book: Leonard . Richie . Denton . Tony . Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. 2024 . Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society . 4–132.
Web site: This is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Hovercraft H-001, named Molly Rayner . UK Emergency Vehicles . 19 August 2010.
Web site: Morecambe RNLI celebrate 20 years of its inshore rescue hovercraft . RNLI . 28 November 2022.
Web site: Hunstanton Flyer is celebrating 20 years of saving lives at sea . Town&Around . 24 July 2023.
Web site: Southend-on-Sea RNLI mark the 20th anniversary of the hovercraft . RNLI . 28 November 2022.
Web site: 20 years of saving lives: Hoylake RNLI mark the anniversary of the hovercraft . RNLI . 28 November 2022.
Web site: RNLI hovercraft launched . Motorboat & Yachting . 8 November 2005.