Mersey class lifeboats are all-weather lifeboats operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from stations around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. The Mersey is designed to be launched from a carriage, but can also lie afloat or be slipway launched when required. Its propellers are fully protected from damage when launching or in shallow water by partial tunnels and two bilge keels. Its low height can be further reduced by collapsing its mast and aerials which then allows it to be stored in a boathouse. A sealed cabin gives it a self-righting ability.
The class name comes from the River Mersey which flows into the Irish Sea in north west England.
Power comes from two Caterpillar 285hp turbo-charged engines. It carries 1,110 litres (290 USgal) of fuel to give it a range of 240 nautical miles (440 km). It has a crew of six and can carry an X Boat inflatable which it can deploy at sea. Its survivor compartment can carry 43 people, but more than 21 prevents self-righting should the boat capsize.
Related articles
- Photo Weekly Challenge: ‘A’ Launch (nilaewhite.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge – Launch .. (melonpops.wordpress.com)
- Weekly photo challenge: Launched (jmsimpson.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge- LAUNCH (diggingher.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (smallhousebiggarden.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (klling.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (implicado.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge : Launch (cherylandrews.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (ilovemandaue.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (dailypost.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (katharinetrauger.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (sophomorejinx.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (of 3 Herons) (andreadreamin.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (aditimitra.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (rutheh.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch… (eof737.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (atelierzisiadou.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (fromundermanyhats.com)
- Wish Lanterns ( Launch: weekly photo challenge ) (lifebydmagdalene.wordpress.com)
- Launch (Weekly Photo Challenge 2012) (cardinalguzman.wordpress.com)
- Anti-gravity: Weekly Photo Challenge (Launch) (suvesabun.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (passion2read.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (thepetalpusher.me)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (atreegrowsinbklyn.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (thirdhandart.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch ~ Sky Lanterns (19planets.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Launch (snapsbytwinkle.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge:Launch (shomabhagwat.wordpress.com)
Ferry ‘cross the Mersey came immediately to mind…great photo and history
LikeLike
interesting entry!! 🙂
LikeLike
greetings by
http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/weekly-photo-challenge-launch/
+
LikeLike
I have so much respect for these guys. They do a great job. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Very interesting.
LikeLike
Really good and what an amazing job the RNLI do 🙂
LikeLike
great shot – love what these guys do
LikeLike
Thanks for the info on this vessel. My son was a U.S. Coastie for four years and I appreciate what these guy (and gals) do.
LikeLike
Incredible!
Where did you take this picture ?
It’s quite complicated from where I live to see that kind of fish hunting!
Impressive, really 🙂
Here are my pictures for this week!
http://jibsphotography.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/weekly-photo-challenge-launch-1/
http://jibsphotography.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/weekly-photo-challenge-launch-2/
http://jibsphotography.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/weekly-photo-challenge-launch-3/
Hope to see you there 🙂
Bye
LikeLike
Nice one for launch. Love your gravatar pic.
LikeLike
p.s. Thanks for the pingback
LikeLike
Great Entry Mike thumbs up 🙂
LikeLike
thanks for the info – a great entry for this week’s challenge.
thanks for sharing
LikeLike
Awesome entry! The water looks dangerously rough. Thank you for the pingback.
LikeLike
Great idea for launch! Thanks for the pingback.
LikeLike