All-weather Crew RNLI Lifeboat Model Collectable Figure | RNLI Gifts

All-weather Crew RNLI Lifeboat Model

The All-weather Crew RNLI Lifeboat Model Collectable Figurine accurately portrays the lifesaving equipment worn by today’s ALB lifeboat crews.

All-weather lifeboats are the larger boats in the RNLI fleet with enclosed wheelhouses and survivor spaces below deck, they are self-righting on capsize, and are designed to withstand the most extreme weather conditions and seas. Some ALBs also carry daughter craft for inshore work. There are six classes of ALB currently operational in the RNLI with speeds ranging from 17 to 25 knots.

With the differing roles of crews on the ALB vessels from the more recently (1963) introduced inshore lifeboats, the early 1990s saw the introduction of separate lifejackets for all-weather and inshore lifeboat crews.

All-weather lifeboat crews needed a more compact lifejacket, which inflated automatically on hitting the water. Inshore crews, who enter the water much more frequently, utilise a larger lifejacket with built-in buoyancy that does not auto-inflate.

For nearly 3 decades there was little significant change in the protective equipment worn by these ALB crews.

In 2018 the RNLI partnered with Helly Hanson to develop the most technologically advanced all-weather lifeboat PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), which is now standard issue for ALB crews across the UK and Ireland, and recreated in this Lifeboat Collectable model.

A new era of lifesaving in the RNLI

The Shannon is the RNLI’s most recent class of all-weather lifeboat and is the first modern all-weather lifeboat to be propelled by waterjets instead of propellers, making her the most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat to date.

In 2013 the RNLI officially named the first new Shannon class ALB, the Jock and Annie Slater, and included it in the relief fleet at Wicklow. The first Shannon class delivered for full service was at Dungeness, Kent on 21st February 2014 a year after the Jock and Annie Slater. The boat, to begin active service the following month, has been named The Morrell in honour of Barbara Morrell, a keen fundraiser for the RNLI who bequeathed £6 million for a lifeboat in Kent.

Maximum speed: 25 knots
Range: 250 nautical miles
Crew: 6
Length: 13.6m
Beam: 4.5m
Draught: 1m
Weight: 18 tonnes (maximum)
Engines: 2 x 13-litre Scania D13 650hp engines and twin Hamilton HJ364 waterjets
Survivor capacity: Self-righting – 23, Non self-righting – 79

With the deployment of new technologically advanced rescue vessels such as the Shannon to the RNLI fleet, it was decided that the crews equipment must also be modernised and improved. The last iteration of the crew ALB kit was seen in 1990.

So the RNLI invited industry leading companies from the marine sector through a selection process to help design and develop new cutting edge PPE for the crews. After 2 years of trials, rigorous on-station testing and further development, the 2018 Helly Hanson ALB PPE was rolled out operationally to the RNLI.

This newly designed ALB PPE is underpinned with a lightweight construction, breathable fabrics and reinforced materials. Significantly there are male and female fitted versions ensuring optimum comfort and protection for everyone. Today’s ALB PPE consists of:

• All-weather Lifeboat Trousers and Jackets
• Thermal under layers
• Lifejacket
• Safety helmet
• Boots

[ References: Wikipedia Image Source: Wikimedia Commons ]