RNLI hovercraft lifeboat

RNLI Hovercraft H001 Molly Rayner in 2005
Class overview
Name:	H-class Rescue Hovercraft
Builders:	Griffon Hovercraft
Operators:	Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
Preceded by:	None
Built:	2002–2009
In service:	2002–
Completed:	7 (production ongoing)
General characteristics
Displacement:	3.86 tonnes
Length:	6.88 m (22.6 ft)
Beam:	3.36 m (11.0 ft)
Draught:	N/A
Propulsion:	2 x VW 1.9 turbo diesels
Speed:	30 knots (35 mph)
Endurance:	3 hours
Capacity:	10
Complement:	2-4

H-class Rescue Hovercraft serve the shores of the United Kingdom as a part of the RNLI inshore fleet. The class are of a modified Type 470TD design built by Griffon Hovercraft.

The hovercraft was developed to operate in tidal areas such as Morecambe Bay where strandings by incoming tides can have fatal consequences and where normal craft are unable to operate, for example due to mud flats.

Hovercraft also operate out of Hunstanton, New Brighton, and Southend-on-Sea stations.

Fleet

Op. No.	Name	In service	Principal Station
H-001	Molly Rayner	2002–	Relief fleet
H-002	The Hurley Flyer	2002–	Morecambe
H-003	Hunstanton Flyer (Civil Service No. 450)	2003–	Hunstanton
H-004	Vera Ravine	2004–	Southend-on-Sea
H-005	Hurley Spirit	2005–	New Brighton
H-006	John Russell	2005–	Relief fleet
H-007	Samburgh	2009–	Relief fleet

External links

• RNLI Fleet