Mersey Class Lifeboat

The Mersey class all-weather lifeboat was designed and developed by RNLI staff primarily for stations where the lifeboat has to be launched from a carriage, although she is also capable of operating from slipways and lying afloat.

Early Mersey class lifeboats are constructed of aluminium and later boats are built of fibre reinforced composite (FRC). Both aluminium and FRC combine strength with light weight.

The Mersey was designed to be light and compact enough to be launched from a carriage, have fully protected propellers and be self-righting yet still provide a speed of 16 knots and have the strength and sea keeping ability required of all lifeboat classes. The round bilge, semi-displacement hull has a tunnel stern to protect the propellers, moderate freeboard aft and amidships to ease the recovery of survivors and sufficient sheer and flare forward to minimise the amount of water taken aboard in heavy seas.

The watertight wheelhouse is an essential part of her self-righting ability, its buoyancy helping to right the lifeboat from a capsize in some five seconds.

There is seating in the wheelhouse for six crew with an additional seat for a doctor. The wheelhouse console incorporates, amongst other things, engine controls, the hydraulic steering unit and wheel, controls for the VHF direction finder, navigation lights, wipers, horn and searchlight.

The navigator's position has a stabilised radar, chart table and a Decca navigation system receiver. At the mechanic's position is the main switchboard and a radio table with ME radio transmitter and receiver, VHF radio transceiver and ME direction finder. A second VHF transceiver and echo sounder are fitted at the upper steering position.