Motor lifeboat
46ft 9in Watson class
Royal National Lifeboat Institution · United Kingdom & Ireland
Post-war non-self-righting Watson motor lifeboat for slipway and afloat stations.
Specifications
Hull & dimensions
- Manufacturer / builder
- Groves & Guttridge; J. Samuel White; Alexander Robertson; Camper & Nicholson
- Hull type
- —
- Hull material
- —
- Watertight compartments
- —
- Length overall
- 14.25 m (46.8 ft)
- Length at waterline
- —
- Beam
- 3.89 m (12.8 ft)
- Draught
- —
- Freeboard at bow
- —
- Freeboard at stern
- —
- Displacement
- 22 t (24.3 US tons)
- Gross tonnage
- —
- Net tonnage
- —
- Min vertical clearance
- —
- Height to highest unfixed point
- —
- Height to highest fixed point
- —
- Number built
- 28
- Year introduced
- 1947
- Year retired
- 1989
Machinery & propulsion
- Propulsion type
- Twin 40 bhp Ferry VE4 diesel
- Engines
- —
- Engine manufacturer
- —
- Total engine power
- —
- Fuel type
- —
- Total fuel capacity
- —
- Fresh water capacity
- —
- Launch method
- —
Members-only
Operating limits (seas, surf, wind), towing and stability data, and detailed engineering specifications are available to Members.
Performance & capabilities
- Maximum speed
- 8 kn (14.8 km/h · 9.2 mph)
- Range
- —
- Endurance
- —
- Crew complement
- —
- People capacity
- —
- Self-righting
- —
- Self-bailing
- —
- Ice operations capable
- —
- Max ice-breaking thickness
- —
- Medical facilities onboard
- —
Members-only
Operating limits (seas, surf, wind), towing and stability data, and detailed engineering specifications are available to Members.
Operational envelope & limits
Members-only
Operating limits (seas, surf, wind), towing and stability data, and detailed engineering specifications are available to Members.
Source citations
| # | Source | Type | Supports | Accessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [1] | 46ft 9in Watson-class lifeboat Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/46ft_9in_Watson-class_lifeboat | reference | General | 2026-09-30 |