All-weather lifeboat

Solent class

Royal National Lifeboat Institution · United Kingdom & Ireland

Retired

Steel-hulled self-righting lifeboat, a steel development of the Waveney era.

Specifications

Hull & dimensions

Manufacturer / builder: —
Hull type: —
Hull material: Steel hull, aluminium superstructure
Watertight compartments: —
Length overall: 14.6 m (47.9 ft)
Length at waterline: —
Beam: —
Draught: —
Freeboard at bow: —
Freeboard at stern: —
Displacement: —
Gross tonnage: —
Net tonnage: —
Min vertical clearance: —
Height to highest unfixed point: —
Height to highest fixed point: —
Number built: 11
Year introduced: 1969
Year retired: 1993

Machinery & propulsion

Propulsion type: —
Engines: Twin 110 hp Gardner diesels
Engine manufacturer: —
Total engine power: —
Fuel type: —
Total fuel capacity: —
Fresh water capacity: —
Launch method: —

Performance & capabilities

Maximum speed: 8 kn (14.8 km/h · 9.2 mph)
Range: 240 nm (444 km · 276 mi)
Endurance: —
Crew complement: 7
People capacity: —
Self-righting: —
Self-bailing: —
Ice operations capable: —
Max ice-breaking thickness: —
Medical facilities onboard: —

Operational envelope & limits

Members-only

Operating limits (seas, surf, wind), towing and stability data, and detailed engineering specifications are available to Members.

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Source citations

#	Source	Type	Supports	Accessed
[1]	RNLI official website RNLI https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history	official	General	Not yet checked
[2]	Solent-class lifeboat Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solent-class_lifeboat	reference	year_introduced, builder	2026-09-30
[3]	RNLI Solent class Lifeboat World On-Line http://sar-lifeboats.co.uk/RNLISolent.html	web	max_speed_kn, range_nm, crew, engines, hull_material	2026-09-30