H-class lifeboat

RNLI Hovercraft H001 Molly Rayner in 2005
Class overview
Name	H-class rescue hovercraft
Builders	Griffon Hoverwork
Operators	Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
Preceded by	None
Built	2002–2009
In service	2002–
Completed	7
Active	7
General characteristics
Displacement	3.86 tonnes
Length	6.88 m (22.6 ft)
Beam	3.36 m (11.0 ft)
Draught	N/A
Propulsion	2 x VW 1.9 turbo diesels
Speed	30 knots (35 mph; 56 km/h)
Endurance	3 hours
Capacity	10
Complement	2-4

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, New Brighton, Hunstanton, and Southend-on-Sea. In 2016, the New Brighton Hovercraft H-005 Hurley Spirit was reassigned to Hoylake.

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

RNLB Hurley Spirit approaching the old slipway at Hoylake old lifeboat station.

Op.No.[a]	Name	In service[3]	Principal Station	Comments
H-001	Molly Rayner	2002–	Relief fleet	[4]
H-002	The Hurley Flyer	2002–	Morecambe	[5]
H-003	Hunstanton Flyer (Civil Service No.45)	2003–	Hunstanton	[6]
H-004	Vera Ravine	2004–	Southend-on-Sea	[7]
H-005	Hurley Spirit	2004–2016 2016–	New Brighton Hoylake	[8]
H-006	John Russell	2005–	Relief fleet	[9]
H-007	Samburgh	2009–	Relief fleet

1. Op.No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat.

References

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

External links

• RNLI Fleet