Mersey-class lifeboat

Final launch of 12-20 Leonard Kent (ON 1177) at Newcastle, County Down, 11 January 2026
Class overview
NameMersey Class
Builders
Operators
Preceded byRother, Oakley
Succeeded byShannon, B-class (Atlantic 85)
Cost£430,000–£704,230
Built1986–1993
In service1988–present
Completed38
Active4
Retired34
Preserved1
General characteristics
Displacement14.3 t (14.1 long tons)
Length11.62 m (38.1 ft)
Beam4.0 m (13.1 ft)
Draught1.02 m (3.3 ft)
Propulsion2 × 285 hp (213 kW) Caterpillar 3208T diesel engines
Speed17 knots (20 mph; 31 km/h)
Range240 nmi (440 km)
Endurance10.25 hours approx. at cruising speed
Capacity43 survivors (self-righting up to 21)
Complement6

Mersey-class lifeboats are a class of All-weather lifeboats, originally operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Introduced in 1988, 38 of this class of lifeboat would come to operate from stations around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. They are capable of operating at up to 17 knots (31 km/h) and can be launched from a carriage or by slipway.

The class name comes from the River Mersey which flows into the Irish Sea in north west England.

History

During the 1960s and 1970s the RNLI introduced fast lifeboats capable of considerable greater speeds than the 8 knots (15 km/h) of existing designs. The first of these were only able to be kept afloat as their propellers would be damaged if launched using a slipway or carriage. In 1982 the steel-hulled Tyne-class came into service, which could be launched down a slipway, but weighed 25 tons, and so was not suitable for being moved across a beach on a carriage. The answer was to build a smaller boat with an aluminium hull, which became the Mersey-class.[1]

The first prototype Mersey (ON 1119) was built in 1986, but was never named or given an operational number. After trials during 1987 and 1988, the unnamed boat was never placed on station, and was sold in 1989. Two more boats were built in 1988, with the first one to take up active service going to Bridlington Lifeboat Station the following year.[2]

In 1989, 12-11 Lifetime Care (ON 1148) was built with a fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) hull. Boats built in 1990 continued to use aluminium but from 1991 FRC became the standard hull material.[2][3]

On Wednesday 13 December 2023, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh joined RNLI representatives at Windsor Castle for the handover of RNLB 12-30 Her Majesty The Queen (ON 1189) to the Chatham Historic Dockyard for temporary display.[4]

The RNLI intended to have 25 knot lifeboats at all offshore lifeboat stations by the end of 2019, and the first of the Shannon-class lifeboats replaced the Mersey lifeboats at Dungeness, Exmouth and Hoylake in 2014. It would be eleven years later, when the last Mersey-class lifeboat in RNLI service, 12-20 Leonard Kent (ON 1177), at Newcastle, was formally withdrawn from service on 18 December 2025.[2]

Four former RNLI Mersey-class boats are still in service overseas, three operated by ADES Uruguay, and one by Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso in Chile.[2]

Description

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.

Power comes from two 3208T Caterpillar turbo-charged marine diesel engines giving 285 hp at 2,800 rpm. It carries 1,110 litres (290 US gal) of fuel to give it a range of 240 nautical miles (440 km). It has a crew of six and can carry an inflatable X-boat which it can deploy at sea. Its survivor compartment can carry 43 people, but more than 21 prevents self-righting should the boat capsize.[3][5]

All of the following fleet details are referenced to the 2026 Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society Handbook, with information retrieved directly from RNLI records.[2]

RNLI fleet

ON[a] Op. No.[b] Name Built In Service[2] Station / Launch method Comments[2][6][7]
1119 – Unnamed 1986 1987–1988 Trials Sold 1989.
Named Keelman, later Spirit. Sold December 2025, for restoration in Cork, County Cork
1125 12-002 Sealink Endeavour 1987 1987–1989 Trials [Note 1] Sold 2020.
Renamed Endeavour. Workboat with Ambrey Shipyards at Hythe Marine, Hampshire, March 2025.
1989–2018 Hastings (Carriage)
1124 12-001 Peggy and Alex Caird 1988 1988–1995 Bridlington (Carriage) [Note 2] Sold 2015.
Renamed Mersey Rose with Needles Pleasure Cruises.
Sold 2017.
Renamed Orange Apex, with Orange Force Marine Ltd and Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel, Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada.
Sold October 2023.
Renamed Life Aquatic 12-001, at Lake Champlain, South Hero, Vermont, USA, December 2023.
1995–1999 Relief fleet
1999 Lytham St Annes (Carriage)
1999–2009 Relief fleet
2009–2010 Bembridge (Carriage)
2010–2015 Relief fleet
1148 12-11 Lifetime Care 1988 1989–1990 Relief fleet [Note 3] Sold 2017.
Workboat for McMullen Shellfish, Glenariffe Harbour, County Antrim, August 2025.
1990–1991 Workington No.2 (Carriage)
1991–2012 Relief fleet
2012 Leverburgh (Afloat)
2012–2017 Relief fleet
1161 12-003 Doris M. Mann of Ampthill 1990 1990–2023 Wells-next-the-Sea (Carriage) [Note 4] Sold 2023.
Last reported as Progreso, Yucatán, Mexico, December 2023.
1162 12-004 Royal Shipwright 1990 1990–2007 Relief fleet [Note 5] Sold 2016.
Renamed Patricia. Survey Pilot Vessel, laid up at Mostyn Docks, July 2025.
MMSI 232002744
2007–2008 Cromer (Carriage)
2008–2016 Relief fleet
1163 12-005 Lady of Hilbre 1990 1990–2014 Hoylake (Carriage) [Note 6] Sold 2022.
Stored at Medway Bridge Marina, October 2025.
2014–2021 Relief fleet
1164 12-006 Andy Pearce 1990 1990–2017 Llandudno (Carriage) [Note 7] Sold 2019.
Renamed Njord. Boat trips/charter at Burwick, Orkney, June 2023.
2017–2018 Relief fleet
1165 12-007 Spirit of Derbyshire 1990 1990–2015 Ilfracombe (Carriage) [Note 8] Sold 2015.
Renamed Mercy. Harbour workboat at Valletta, Malta, October 2025.
MMSI 215000129.
2015 Relief fleet
1166 12-008 Lincolnshire Poacher 1990 1990–2017 Skegness (Carriage) [Note 9] Sold 2021.
Renamed Bailiwick Reliance, at St Peter Port.
Sold February 2024.
Renamed Samuel Wesley. Workboat (Memorial services) at Dartmouth, Devon, December 2025.
MMSI 232003204.
2017–2021 Relief fleet
1167 12-009 The Princess Royal
(Civil Service No.41) 		1990 1990–2015 St Ives (Carriage) [Note 10] Sold 1 June 2016.
Renamed Ulidia. Workboat with Coleraine Harbour Commissioners, November 2025.
MMSI 232003618.
2015–2016 Relief fleet
1168 12-010 Lily and Vincent Anthony 1990 1991–2021 Pwllheli (Carriage) [Note 11] Sold November 2023.
Renamed Charles Wesley. Workboat (Memorial services) based in Dartmouth, December 2025.
2021–2023 Relief fleet
1169 12-12 Marine Engineer 1991 1990–1995 Relief fleet [Note 12] Sold January 2024.
Last reported at (PUUR), Amsterdam, August 2025.
1995–2018 Bridlington (Carriage)
2018–2022 Douglas (Slipway)
1170 12-13 Keep Fit Association 1991 1991–2021 Filey (Carriage) [Note 13] Sold May 2024.
Renamed Storm Siren II on 21 November 2024. Pilot Boat with Teignmouth Harbour Authority, April 2025.[8]
MMSI 232056713.
2021–2024 Relief fleet
1171 12-14 Ann and James Ritchie 1991 1991–2019 Ramsey (Carriage) [Note 14] Sold 2022.
Renamed James Stevens. Pilot Boat at New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, December 2025.
MMSI 250013635.
2019–2021 Relief fleet
1172 12-15 Frank and Lena Clifford of Stourbridge 1991 1992–2023 New Quay (Carriage) [Note 15]
MMSI 232002726.
2023–2024 Relief fleet
2024–2025 Douglas (Afloat)
1173 12-16 Grace Darling 1991 1991–2020 Seahouses (Carriage) [Note 16] Sold 2021.
See ADES Uruguay below.
1174 12-17 Kingdom of Fife 1991 1991–2024 Anstruther (Carriage) [Note 17] Withdrawn from service, 27 August 2024. Sold April 2025. Workboat (Memorial services) with Wesley group, stored at Portland, December 2025.
MMSI 232002250.[9]
1175 12-18 Fanny Victoria Wilkinson and Frank Stubbs 1991 1991–2016 Scarborough (Carriage) [Note 18] Sold 2018.
See Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile below:–
2016–2018 Relief fleet
1176 12-19 The Four Boys 1991 1991–1998 Sennen Cove (Slipway) [Note 19] Sold 2018.
Renamed The Four Boys of Pendennis. Workboat in Falmouth.
Sold ????.
Renamed Marieanne. Survey Pilot Vessel at Mostyn Docks, December 2024.
MMSI 232020008.
1998–1999 Relief fleet
1999–2016 Amble (Afloat)
2016–2017 Relief fleet
1177 12-20 Leonard Kent 1991 1991–2021 Margate (Carriage) [Note 20] Retired from service, 18 December 2025.
MMSI 232002280.
2022–2025 Newcastle (Carriage)
1178 12-21 Margaret Jean 1992 1992–1998 Relief fleet [Note 21] Sold 2020.
Renamed Arwen Myrtle. At St Peter Port, Guernsey, November 2025.
MMSI 232002290.
1998–1999 Lytham St Annes (Carriage)
1999–2008 Relief fleet
2008–2014 Exmouth (Carriage)
2014–2020 Relief fleet
1181 12-22 Ruby Clery 1992 1992–2019 Peel (Carriage) [Note 22] Retired from service, 30 November 2025.
MMSI 232002727.
2019–2022 Ramsey (Carriage)
2022–2024 Douglas (Slipway)
2025 Douglas (Afloat)
1182 12-23 Robert Charles Brown 1992 1992–2016 Swanage (Slipway) [Note 23] Sold 2019.
Renamed Atlantic. As Robert Charles at Zaandam, Netherlands, December 2025.
MMSI 244071803.
2016–2019 Relief fleet
1183 12-24 Lil Cunningham 1992 1992–2019 Rhyl (Carriage) [Note 24] Sold 2020.
Renamed Ellen Rodger. Workboat with Calypso Marine, Stored Burntisland, Fife, June 2025.
MMSI 232002741.
1184 12-25 Bingo Lifeline 1992 1992–2020 Relief fleet [Note 25] Sold 2021.
See ADES Uruguay below.
1185 12-26 Moira Barrie 1992 1992–2019 Barmouth (Carriage) [Note 26] Sold 2020.
Renamed Arwen. Ferry Boat for Western Isles Cruises, Mallaig.
Sold ????
Renamed MV Acua Ocean. Workboat for ACUA Ocean Ltd, operating from Plymouth, Devon, December 2025.
MMSI 232030482.
1186 12-27 Pride and Spirit 1992 1992–2014 Dungeness (Carriage) [Note 27] Sold 2021.
See ADES Uruguay below.
2014–2016 Clifden (Afloat)
2016–2019 Relief fleet
1187 12-28 Mary Margaret 1992 1992–2004 Kilmore Quay (Afloat) [Note 28] Sold 2023.
Renamed Pisces, March 2024. Workboat, Yarmouth, IOW, December 2025.
2004–2019 Relief fleet
2019–2022 Peel (Afloat)
2022–2023 Relief fleet
1188 12-29 Eleanor and Bryant Girling 1992 1993–2022 Newcastle (Carriage) [Note 29] Sold 2022.
Renamed The Mersey (3-YG-894). At Leeuwarden, Netherlands, May 2025.
MMSI 244729436.[10]
2022 Relief fleet
1189 12-30 Her Majesty The Queen 1992 1993–1996 Relief fleet [Note 30] On display at Chatham Historic Dockyard, 2023. Returned to RNLI HQ at Poole, 2024, Stored, December 2025.[4]
1996–1999 Cromer (Carriage)
1999 Relief fleet
1999–2018 Lytham St Annes (Carriage)
2018–2021 Relief fleet
1190 12-31 Doris Bleasdale 1992 1993–2019 Clogherhead (Carriage) [Note 31] Sold 2020.
Renamed Knot on Call, December 2022. Pleasure boat at Tenby, Pembrokeshire.
Sold April 2025
Renamed John Jacques, Pilot boat at Glasson Dock, August 2025.
MMSI 232031477.
1191 12-32 Joy and Charles Beeby 1992 1993–2023 Berwick-upon-Tweed (Slipway) [Note 32] Sold July 2024.
Renamed John Wesley, Workboat (memorial services), based in Dartmouth, Devon, April 2025.
2023–2024 Douglas (Slipway)
2024 Relief fleet
1192 12-33 Fisherman's Friend 1993 1993–1999 Relief fleet [Note 33] Sold 2020.
Survey Vessel, Galway, Ireland, Crosshaven, March 2024.
MMSI 232002576.
1999 Lytham St Annes (Carriage)
1999–2016 Relief fleet
2016–2019 Clifden (Afloat)
1193 12-34 Freddie Cooper 1992 1993–2024 Aldeburgh (Carriage) [Note 34] Withdrawn from service, 14 October 2024. Departure from Aldeburgh, 27 October 2024.
Sold Feb 2025.
Renamed Mary Wesley, Workboat (Memorial services) based at Portland, March 2025.
MMSI 232003208.[11]
1194 12-35 Inchcape 1993 1993–2024 Arbroath (Slipway) [Note 35] Withdrawn from service, 17 March 2024.
Sold 2024.
Renamed Emilia Wesley, workboat (Memorial services), based at Portland Marina, September 2025.[12]
1195 12-36 Royal Thames 1993 1993–2012 Eastbourne (Afloat) [Note 36] Sold Jan 2021.
Renamed Sea Searcher, Survey Safety Vessel with deeperdorset.co.uk.
Sold Oct 2022?.
Survey Safety / Dive Vessel at Holyhead, November 2025.
2012–2018 Leverburgh (Afloat)
2018 Relief fleet
1196 12-37 Silvia Burrell 1993 1993–2018 Girvan (Afloat) [Note 37] Sold August 2021.
Renamed Ailsa Craig. At Island Harbour Marina, IOW, October 2025.
  1. ^ ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. ^ Op.No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

Uruguay

ADES Uruguay is an Honorary Lifesaving Institution founded in 1955. Its volunteers train weekly to go to sea with the sole purpose of helping whoever requests help. The rescues have no cost to the beneficiaries. At the national level ADES Uruguay is part of the National Emergency Committee and at the international level it is part of the IMRF (International Maritime Rescue Federation)[13]

RNLI ON Name In Service[2] Station MMSI[7] Comments[2]
1173 ADES 28 Grace Darling 2021– Colonia del Sacramento 232002240
1184 ADES 29 BROU 125 Anniversario 2021– Montevideo 232002573
1186 ADES 30 2021– Punta del Este 232003202

Chile

Operated by Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile

RNLI ON Name In Service[2] Station Comments[2]
1175 Valparaiso IV 2018– Valparaiso Images of 12-28 in Chile are here, still in near RNLI colours.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Funded from promotion by Sealink British Ferries Lts, legacies of Dr W, R. H. Murphy and Mrs D. M. Kellett, plus other gifts, built by A1 Shipbuilders / William Osborne, costing £498,925.
  2. ^ Legacy of Mrs M. M. Caird, plus other gifts, built by A1 Shipbuilders / William Osborne, costing £498,925.
  3. ^ Gift of Volvo Concessionaires Ltd, (promotion), built by Green Marine / Souters, costing £550,000.
  4. ^ Legacy of Mrs D. M. Mann, built by FBM Ltd, costing £468,209.
  5. ^ Gift of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, plus other gifts and legacies, built by FBM Ltd, costing £430,000.
  6. ^ Gift of the Mersey LB appeal, built by FBM Ltd, costing £430,556.
  7. ^ Legacy of Mr A. S. Pearce, plus other gifts and legacies, built by FBM Ltd, costing £429,494.
  8. ^ Funded from the 'Spirit of Derbyshire' LB appeal, an appeal by Ilfracombe branch, plus other gifts and legacies, built by A1 Shipbuilders / William Osborne, costing £444,498.
  9. ^ Funded from the Lincolnshire LB appeal, plus major contribution from the 'John and Lucille Van Geest Charitable Trust', built by A1 Shipbuilders / Souters, costing £460,212.
  10. ^ Gift of CISPOTEL, built by A1 Shipbuilders / William Osborne, costing £445,432.
  11. ^ Legacy of Miss A. Anthony, built by A1 Shipbuilders / Souters, costing £552,881.
  12. ^ Gift of the Institute of Marine Engineers, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £650,000.
  13. ^ Funded by the 'Keep Fit Association' LB appeal, the Filey LB appeal, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £651,481.
  14. ^ Legacy of Mrs A, Ritchie, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £577,746.
  15. ^ Legacy of Mr F. Clifford, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £649,376.
  16. ^ Funded by the 'Grace Darling Anniversary appeal', plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £652,978.
  17. ^ Funded by a local appeal, the 'Doctors appeal', the 'Cotton Trust', the legacy of Dr Allen, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £655,000.
  18. ^ Legacy of Mr F. Stubbs, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £653,911.
  19. ^ Funded by the 'Lands End LB appeal', the 'Sennen Cove' LB appeal, the 'London Broadcasting Co. appeal', plus legacies of Mr Holland and Mrs Hiddleston, and other gifts, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £655,250.
  20. ^ Legacy of Mr L. F. Kent, plus the Margate LB appeal, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £629,121.
  21. ^ Gift of Peter and Jean Bath, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £629,121.
  22. ^ Gift of Miss R. Clery, built by Green Marine / Souters, costing £662,663.
  23. ^ Funded by a regional appeal, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £669,043.
  24. ^ Gift of Miss B. H. I. Cunningham, built by Green Marine / Souters, costing £640,092.
  25. ^ Gift of the Bingo Assoc. of Gt. Britain, the legacy of Mrs A. Mills, gift of the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £660,000.
  26. ^ Legacy of Miss M. Barrie, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £683,097.
  27. ^ Gift of Mr and Mrs E, Cass, built by Green Marine / Souters, costing £645,034.
  28. ^ Legacies of Mr D. A. S. Williams and Mrs M. M. Williams, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £678,261.
  29. ^ Legacy of Mrs E, B. Girling, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £704,230.
  30. ^ Funded from the appeal to the Police Forces of Gt. Britain, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / Souters, costing £650,000.
  31. ^ Legacy of Mrs D. Bleasdale, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £671,910.
  32. ^ Legacy of Mr C. Beeby, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £680,000.
  33. ^ Funded from the special appeal by Lofthouse of Fleetwood Ltd, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / Souters, costing £650,000.
  34. ^ Legacy of Mrs W. M. Cooper, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £674,776.
  35. ^ Funded by a local appeal, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / FBM Ltd, costing £680,000.
  36. ^ Funded by the Royal Thames Yacht Club appeal, a generous anonymous gift, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £680,000.
  37. ^ Legacy of Miss S. Burrell, built by Green Marine / Souters, costing £680,000.

References

  1. ^ Wake-Walker, Edward; Deane, Heather; Purches, Georgette (1989). Lifeboat! Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Shepperton: Ian Allan. pp. 38–43. ISBN 0711018359.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2026). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2026. Lifeboats Enthusiasts' Society. pp. 48–51.
  3. ^ a b Wake-Walker, Edward (2008). The Lifeboats Story. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. p. 69. ISBN 9780750948586.
  4. ^ a b "HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh joins RNLI for retirement of HM The Queen lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Mersey class lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  6. ^ Morris, Jeff (2008). List of British Life-boats Part 3 (Third ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. pp. 72–75.
  7. ^ a b "Marine Traffic".
  8. ^ "Naming and Blessing of new Pilot boat "Storm Siren II"". Teignmouth Harbour Commission. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  9. ^ "After 33 years in Scotland, the Mersey-class lifeboat bows out in Anstruther". RNLI. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  10. ^ "Marine Traffic The Mersey". Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  11. ^ Litt, Jo (7 October 2024). "Aldeburgh RNLI to bid farewell to 'Freddie Cooper' with fitting send off". RNLI. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  12. ^ Macnamara, Martin (15 March 2024). "Arbroath RNLI bid farewell to the Mersey-class lifeboat after 30 years' service". RNLI. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  13. ^ "ADES Uruguay". Retrieved 27 November 2023.
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