Trent-class lifeboat

RNLB 14-03 Blue Peter VII at Fishguard, May 2025
Class overview
Builders
Operators
Preceded byArun, Tyne, Waveney
Succeeded byShannon, B-class (Atlantic 85)
Cost£1 million – £1.58 million
Built1990–2003
In service1994–
Completed38
Active
  • 22 Active
  • 9 Relief
Lost1
Retired7
General characteristics
Displacement27.5 long tons (28 t)
Length14.30 m (46 ft 11 in)
Beam4.90 m (16 ft 1 in)
Draught1.45 m (4 ft 9 in)
Propulsion2 × MAN D2840LE 401 diesel engines, 860 hp (641 kW) (ON 1245 is fitted with MAN D2840LE 403EDC engines 909 hp)
Speed25 knots (29 mph; 46 km/h)
Range250 nmi (460 km)
Capacity
  • self-righting: 20
  • non-self-righting: 73
Complement6

The Trent-class lifeboat is an all-weather lifeboat operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from 20 stations (2025) around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland to provide coverage up to 50 miles (80 km) out to sea. Introduced to service in 1994, the class is named after the River Trent, the second longest river wholly in England.

All of the following fleet details are referenced to the 2026 Lifeboat Enthusiast Society Handbook, with information retrieved directly from RNLI records.[1]

History

In the 1980s the RNLI's Arun and Waveney all-weather lifeboats provided coverage 30 miles (48 km) out to sea, operating at up to 18 knots (33 km/h) to cover the distance in two hours in good weather. However the RNLI felt that they needed the capability to extend their coverage to 50 miles (80 km) radius which would require lifeboats with a top speed of 25 knots (46 km/h). This resulted in the 14 metres (46 ft) Trent and 17 metres (56 ft) Severn lifeboats.[2]

The prototype for the Trent class was built in 1991. It was used for trials until 1994, when it was put into active service at Alderney Lifeboat Station. It remained on station there until their own boat was available in 1995, since when it has served in the relief fleet. Construction of its sister boats continued until 2004.[1]

Unlike the contemporary Severn class, the Trent will not receive a service life extension refurbishment and will gradually be withdrawn, to be replaced mainly by Shannon-class lifeboats.

Design

The Trent is intended to lie afloat at moorings. It has five water-tight bulkheads to create six compartments: fore peak; fore store; survivor cabin; tank space; machinery space; and aft peak steering compartment. Above these is the main deckhouse which has seats for the six crew and a doctor. This is another water-tight space which provides the boat's self-righting capability.[3]

Designed and built by Green Marine, each boat is constructed of over 100 mm (3.9 in) thick fibre reinforced composite topsides, single laminate double hull bottoms, 4 water-tight bulkheads and prepreg epoxy, glass and Kevlar shields.

The Trent has a service life of 25 years, although current estimates appear to exceed these original operational confines due to constant on-station maintenance, periodic refitting and sporadic repairs. In comparison with its predecessors, the boat has numerous additional advantages which aid in the overall success of every launch. One detail would be its condensed hull, which allows it to operate in significantly constrained locations (such as marina berths and dense quayside scenes).

Another aspect aiding in its confined manoeuverability would be the bilge keels which aid in protecting its twin drive props. Its hull sheerline sweeps down into an area known as the 'welldeck', which helps ease the recovery of casualties onto the lifeboat. The remote location of an 'a-frame' hoist also provides additional assistance for particularly awkward recoveries (such as casualties in stretchers).

As of 2006, each Trent class lifeboat is complemented with an array of advanced technologies. Each device provides full assistance in search and rescue operations, and therefore must be of an officially high standard. The comprehensive electronics fit includes full radio equipment including Navtex Multi-Frequency, Marine Very High Frequency and DSC installations. For navigation the crew utilize an array of digital select systems including DGPS equipment, and an electronic Laserplot chart display and information system which allows complete automated management via the vessel's on-board processors (autohelm), although comparatively infrequent in practice.

Other features of Trent class lifeboats include VHF/DF, radar and weather sensors. Provisions for survivors include complete first aid equipment including the Basket and Neill Robertson stretchers, oxygen and Entonox breathing systems, ambulance pouch, thermodynamic food canisters and sick bags for ailing casualties. The Trents also have a small toilet arrangement. The afterdeck houses a salvage pump in a water-tight container for use in inter-vessel salvage, and two fire hoses allow proficient fire fighting. The Trent carries an inflatable XP-boat which is powered by a 5-hp outboard engine, and can be deployed in slight conditions to gain access to rocks or beaches when an inshore lifeboat is otherwise unavailable.

  • View from astern
  • Flying bridge

Trent-class lifeboat fleet

RNLI active fleet

ON[a] Op. No.[b] Name Built In service[1] Station MMSI Comments[1][4]
1197 14-02 Esme Anderson 1994 1994–2023 Ramsgate 232001840 [Note 1]
2024– Eastbourne
1198 14-03 Blue Peter VII 1994 1994– Fishguard 232001860 [Note 2]
1200 14-05 Anna Livia 1995 1995– Dún Laoghaire 232001880 [Note 3]
1208 14-10 Samarbeta 1995 1996– Great Yarmouth and Gorleston 232002340 [Note 4]
1213 14-15 Henry Heys Duckworth 1996 1996–2016 Relief fleet 232002380 [Note 5]
Assigned to Port St Mary, replacing (ON 1234), March 2025.
2016–2019 Red Bay
2019–2023 Relief fleet
2023–2024 Eastbourne
2024–2025 Relief fleet
2025– Port St Mary
1214 14-16 Stanley Watson Barker 1996 1996– Portree 232002390 [Note 6]
1223 14-19 Ger Tigchelaar 1996 1997–2025 Arklow 232002182 [Note 7]
Assigned to Holyhead, replacing (ON 1205), February 2026.
2025–2026 Relief fleet
2026– Holyhead
1224 14-20 Roy Barker II 1997 1997– Wick 232002183 [Note 8]
1225 14-21 MacQuarie 1997 1997–2004 Sunderland 232002582 [Note 9]
Assigned to Donaghadee, replacing (ON 1267), August 2023.
2004–2023 Relief fleet
2023– Donaghadee
1233 14-25 Austin Lidbury 1998 1998– Ballycotton 232003131 [Note 10]
1239 14-27 Robert Hywel Jones Williams 1999 1999– Fenit 232003137 [Note 11]
1240 14-28 Sam and Ada Moody 1999 1999– Achill Island 232003138 [Note 12]
1245 14-29 Inner Wheel II 2000 2000–2006 Relief fleet 232004396 [Note 13]
Assigned to Alderney, replacing (ON 1199), September 2024.
2006–2024 Barry Dock
2024– Alderney
1246 14-30 Dr John McSparran 2000 2000– Larne 232004397 [Note 14]
1252 14-31 Elizabeth of Glamis 2001 2001– Broughty Ferry 232004404 [Note 15]
1253 14-32 Corinne Whiteley 2001 2001–2019 Relief fleet 232004405 [Note 16]
2019– Red Bay
1258 14-33 Roy Barker III 2001 2002– Howth 235003642 [Note 17]
1259 14-34 Willie & May Gall 2002 2002– Fraserburgh 235005113 [Note 18]
1266 14-35 John Neville Taylor 2002 2002–2008 Relief fleet 235005114 [Note 19][5]
2008– Dunbar
1274 14-37 Betty Huntbatch 2003 2003–2004 Relief fleet 235010879 [Note 20]
2004–2025 Hartlepool
tbc Douglas

RNLI relief fleet

ON[a] Op. No.[b] Name Built In service[1] Station MMSI Comments[1]
1199 14-04 Roy Barker I 1994 1995–2024 Alderney 232001870 [Note 21][6]
2024– Relief fleet
1204 14-06 Windsor Runner
(Civil Service No.42) 		1995 1995–2004 Blyth 232001950 [Note 22]
2004–2008 Relief fleet
2008 Dunbar
2008– Relief fleet
1205 14-07 Frederick Storey Cockburn 1995 1995–2023 Courtmacsherry Harbour 232001960 [Note 23]
2023–2024 Relief fleet
2024–2026 Holyhead
2026– Relief fleet
1206 14-08 Douglas Aikman Smith 1995 1996–2021 Invergordon 232001970 [Note 24]
2021– Relief fleet
1212 14-14 George and Mary Webb 1995 1996–2023 Whitby 232002370 [Note 25]
2023– Relief/Training fleet
1215 14-17 Elizabeth and Ronald 1996 1996–2021 Dunmore East 232002410 [Note 26]
2021– Relief fleet
1222 14-18 Maurice and Joyce Hardy 1996 1996–2025 Fowey 232002181 [Note 27]
2025– Relief fleet
1227 14-23 Mora Edith MacDonald 1997 1997–2024 Oban 232002584 [Note 28]
2024– Relief fleet
1275 14-38 Jim Moffat 2003 2004–2025 Troon 235010881 [Note 29]
2025– Relief fleet

RNLI retired fleet

ON[a] Op. No.[b] Name Built In service[1] Former Station MMSI Comments[1]
1180 14-01 Earl and Countess Mountbatten of Burma 1991 1992–1994 Trials 211883350 [Note 30] Sold 2021.
Renamed Aurora. In Service with Sea-Watch.org, Lampedusa, Italy. See below:–
1994–1995 Alderney
1995–2014 Relief fleet
2014–2019 Training fleet
1207 14-09 Sir Ronald Pechell Bt. 1995 1995–2008 Dunbar – [Note 31]
Damaged beyond repair, March 2008[7]
1209 14-11 Barclaycard Crusader 1995 1996–2019 Eyemouth 232002350 [Note 32] Sold 2022.
Renamed GNH Crusader, operated by GNH Marine Services based at Harwich, December 2025.
2019–2021 Relief fleet
1210 14-12 Forward Birmingham 1995 1996–2008 Exmouth 232002360 [Note 33] Sold 2024.
Broken for donor parts.[8]
2008–2024 Relief fleet
1211 14-13 George and Ivy Swanson 1995 1996–2021 Sheerness 232002180 [Note 34] Sold 2024.
Renamed Steadfast, operating from Lochboisdale, December 2025.
2021–2024 Training fleet
1226 14-22 Edward Duke of Windsor 1997 1997–2025 Relief fleet 232002583 [Note 35] Sold 2025.
Workboat based at Harwich, December 2025.
1228 14-24 Dora Foster McDougall 1997 1997–2006 Relief fleet 232002585 [Note 36] Sold 2025.
Renamed Aurora SAR 2, in Service with Sea-Watch.Org, Lampedusa, Italy. See below:–
2006 Barry Dock
2006–2022 Relief fleet
1234 14-26 Gough Ritchie II 1998 1998–2025 Port St Mary 232003132 [Note 37]
For Sale, July 2025.
1267 14-36 Saxon 2003 2003–2023 Donaghadee 235007808 [Note 38]Sold 2025.
Renamed C. Hernon, at Galway, December 2025.
  1. ^ a b c ON is the RNLI's Official Number of the boat.
  2. ^ a b c Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

Other fleets

Sea-Watch.org is a SAR organisation, based out of Lampedusa, Italy, and effecting rescues in the Mediterranean Sea.

RNLI ON Name Built In service Station AIS Comments[1]
1180 Aurora SAR 1991 2021– Lampedusa 211883350 [9]
1228 Aurora SAR 2 1997 2025– Lampedusa 232039073 [9]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Legacy of Mrs E. G. Anderson, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,025,000.
  2. ^ Funded by the BBC TV Blue Peter Appeal, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,025,000.
  3. ^ Funded by the Dublin Bay appeal, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,025,000.
  4. ^ Gift of Volvo Cars UK Ltd, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,025,000.
  5. ^ Gift of Mrs L. Duckworth, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,200,000.
  6. ^ Legacy of Mr S. W. Barker, plus legacies from Mrs E. Arabian and Mr J. R. Blaxland, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,175,000.
  7. ^ Legacy of Mr Frits Oppenheim, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,200,000.
  8. ^ Legacy of Mr F. R. Barker, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,580,000.
  9. ^ Legacies of Lt. Cmdr. H. MacQuarie-Stone, MBE, RD, and Mrs Mary Noond, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,250,000.
  10. ^ Legacy of Mrs Mary Lidbury, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,200,000.
  11. ^ Legacy of Mr R. H. Jones-Williams, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,200,000.
  12. ^ Bequest of Ada Moody, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,200,000.
  13. ^ Funded by the Inner Wheel appeal 1997–2000, plus various other legacies, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,200,000.
  14. ^ Legacies of Miss M. McSparran, Mrs A. F. M. Cripps, and Miss S. C. McCully, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,400,000.
  15. ^ Legacies of Mr I. C. Low, Mr R. Bonar, Mrs M. Maynard and Mrs B. Thomson, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,400,000.
  16. ^ Legacy of Mrs C. Whiteley, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,400,000.
  17. ^ Legacy of Mr F. R. Barker, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,400,000.
  18. ^ Legacy of Mrs M. C. Gall, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,400,000.
  19. ^ Legacy of Mr J. N. Taylor, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,400,000.
  20. ^ Legacy of Mrs E. Huntbatch, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,400,000.
  21. ^ Legacy of Mr F. R. Barker, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,025,000.
  22. ^ Gift of CISPOTEL LB fund, built by Green Marine / Halmatic, costing £1,025,000.
  23. ^ Legacy of Mr S. F. Cockburn, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,025,000.
  24. ^ Legacy of Mr D. Aikman-Smith, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,025,000.
  25. ^ Funded by the 'Mary Webb Trust', built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,200,000.
  26. ^ Legacy of Mrs E. M. Manners-Clark, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,200,000.
  27. ^ Gift and bequest of Mr M. G. Hardy, CBE, C.Eng, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,250,000.
  28. ^ Legacy of Mrs M. E. MacDonald, plus the bequest of The Duke of Atholl, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,200,000.
  29. ^ Gift of 'The Moffat Charitable Trust', the 'Lifeboats for the Clyde' appeal, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,400,000.
  30. ^ Funded by a national appeal by the Romsey branch of the RNLI, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,000,000.
  31. ^ Legacy of Dora, Lady Petchell, funds from the Dunbar LB appeal, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,410,000.
  32. ^ Gift of 'Barclaycard Profiles', plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,097,000.
  33. ^ Funded by the 'Forward Birmingham' LB appeal, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,025,000.
  34. ^ Legacy of Mrs I. Swanson, plus other gifts and legacies, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,200,000.
  35. ^ Bequest of the late Duchess of Windsor, plus other legacies, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,580,000.
  36. ^ Legacy of Mrs D. Foster-McDougall, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,580,000.
  37. ^ Gift of 'The Gough-Ritchie Trust', plus legacy of Miss M. Webb, built by Green Marine / William Osborne, costing £1,200,000.
  38. ^ Legacy of Mrs F. B. Rivers, built by Green Marine / Souters Marine, costing £1,400,000.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2026). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2026. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 50–55.
  2. ^ Wake-Walker, Edward (2008). The Lifeboats Story. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. pp. 59–72. ISBN 9780750948586.
  3. ^ Leach, Nicholas (2002). Fowey Lifeboats, an Illustrated History. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. p. 108. ISBN 0752423789.
  4. ^ Morris, Jeff (2008). List of British Life-boats Part 3 (Third ed.). Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society. pp. 1–100.
  5. ^ "New Lifeboat for Dunbar". Yachting and Boating World. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
  6. ^ Silver, Jack (9 September 2024). "Alderney says farewell to lifeboat after 30 years". BBC. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  7. ^ "Lifeboat may be a write off". Motor Boat & Yachting. Retrieved 25 March 2008.
  8. ^ Salsbury, Alan (2010). A History of the Exmouth Lifeboats. pp. 129–140. ISBN 9780857040732.
  9. ^ a b "Sea-Watch". Sea Watch.org.
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