The Atlantic 75 - Friendly Forester II - is a rigid inflatable lifeboat. It has a manually operated self-righting mechanism and is capable of being beached in an emergency without sustaining damage to engines or steering gear. The Atlantic is fitted with VHF direction finding equipment and can be operated safely in daylight in a force 6/7 and at night in a force 5/6.
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Atlantic 75 Friendly Forester II Specification:
Category: Inshore

Length: 7.5m (24ft 7in)
Overall beam: 2.64m (8ft 8in)
Length of hull: (6.17m) (20ft 3in)

Weight with crew: Approx 3,200 lbs
Engines: Twin 75hp
Speed: 35 knots
Duration: Three hours at max speed

Crew 3-4

Construction Fibre Reinforced Composite(FRC) hull with inflatable sponsons

Launch type Trolley

 

The D class has been the workhorse of the service for 40 years. It is small and highly manoeuvrable, making it ideal for rescues close to shore in fair to moderate conditions. It has a single outboard engine and can be righted manually by the crew following a capsize. The design of the D class has continued to evolve since its introduction. The details given are for the latest version that was introduced in 2003.

Category Inshore

Introduced 1963(latest version in 2003)

Length 5m

Range 3 hours at maximum speed

Speed 25 knots

Weight 436kg

Crew 2/3

Reinforced Hypalon coated polyester

Launch type Trolley

Atlantic ( B Class) inshore lifeboats feature a manually operated, self-righting mechanism that inflates a large airbag with compressed air. The D class can be righted manually by its crew who are fully trained in manual capsize procedures. All inshore lifeboats are fitted with inversion-proofed engines that can be restarted following a capsize.

 Navigation and communication

All-weather lifeboats are fitted with the latest in navigation, location and communication equipment This is the navigation station on the D Class - The Spirit of Berkhamsted. - This is the Driving position and the separate Navigation Station on the Atlantic 75. The electronic chart plotter, VHF radio with direction finder can be seen.
Inshore lifeboats including Hovercraft, the Atlantic 85 and E class carry in addition radar