Selsey Lifeboat Station - The Lifeboats
Denise and Eric
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- Shannon Class Lifeboat 'Denise and Eric'
- Operational number 1327, boat number 13-20.
- Major donor - Denise and Eric Rowse
- The new lifeboat has been designed in-house by RNLI naval architects who have
harnessed cutting-edge technology to ensure the new lifeboat meets the demands
of a 21st century rescue service and allow the charity’s volunteer crew to do
their lifesaving work as safely as possible in all weather conditions.
- The Shannon features twin water jets instead of conventional propellers,
allowing it to operate in shallow waters and be highly manoeuvrable – giving
the crew greater control when alongside other craft and in confined waters.
The water jets also reduce the risk of damage to the lifeboat during launch
and recovery, or when intentionally beached. It is the first RNLI all-weather
lifeboat to run on water jets instead of propellers.
- Its seats are designed to protect the crew members’ spines as much as possible
from the forces of the sea in rough weather. Additionally the Shannon incorporates
SIMS (System and Information Management System) which allows the crew to monitor
the lifeboat from the safety of their seats, again reducing the likelihood of
injury to the volunteer crew members during search and rescue operations.
- With a top speed of 25 knots, the Shannon is faster than its predecessor, the
Tyne class lifeboat which was based at Selsey, which is capable of 17 knots.
The introduction of the Shannon was the first step in enabling the RNLI
to fulfil its operation commitment to ensure that all its operational all-weather
lifeboats have a top speed of 25 knots - a crucial factor when lives are at risk.
- Like all RNLI all-weather lifeboats, the Shannon is self-righting and it will
return to an upright position in the event of a capsize during extreme weather
or sea conditions.