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Small Footprint Cat Powers New RNLI Lifeboat
01 Jul 2003
A new class of RNLI lifeboat designated as the FSB II (Fast Slipway Boat) has been in planned development since 1994 and will replace the archetypal Tyne Class lifeboat that has delivered outstanding service around the UK's shores for more than 20 years. The FSB II will be entering the RNLI fleet in 2004/5 as the new Tamar Class boat.
The Tamar Class is expected to deliver considerable improvements over the Tyne Class. At 16m, it is 2m longer than the Tyne boat and its two control stations are considerably higher to enable better visibility.
It also features electronic control and monitoring systems and its top speed has been increased (compared to the Tyne Class) from 17 knots to 25 knots.
The specification also demands an endurance capability of up to ten hours at the full speed of 25 knots and the true all-weather capability that is a pre-requisite for all RNLI vessels. This is in line with the Institution's commitment to provide 2.5 hour cover within 50 miles of the UK coastline rather than the pre-1997 commitment of 25 miles. The vessel is also required to have a four hour 'on station' performance capability.
The FSB II will be powered by twin Caterpillar C18 marine diesel engines from the company's new C engine range that also includes a new C range of gensets.
The choice reflects a strong and close working relationship with the RNLI that sees Caterpillar engines in the Severn Class (Cat 3412), Aran Class (Cat 3408), and Mersey Class (Cat 3208) boats. The first pair of production C18s in the world were fitted in the RNLI's pre-production boat.
The new Tamar Class boat has an inherent self-righting capability like all RNLI boats and engine cut-out while inverted is not an option. This necessitates a complex oil, water and air intake/exhaust management arrangement designed by RNLI Engineering Manager Professor Bob Cripps and his team working in collaboration with Caterpillar and their UK distributor Finning (UK) Ltd.
Having designed and tank tested the new hull, the RNLI established their power requirements and researched the engine market before choosing the new Cat C18 marine diesel.
The compact footprint 1,015 mhp engine has been designed to meet the propulsion requirements of 50-60ft planing hull craft in twin engine installations. The 18 litre, in-line 6 cylinder C18 has a footprint only 5% bigger and is only 1% heavier than the 811mhp Cat 3406E engine yet delivers over 25% more power.
A twin turbocharger arrangement delivers considerably better acceleration and the bigger displacement means much better torque from what is essentially the same sized engine.
MJ Information No: 18427
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