The RNLI with its diverse fleet of marine vessels alongside operational, logistics and road vehicles have many opportunities to move towards electrification. The implications and practicalities of electrification in a marine-based emergency services context are challenging and typically not yet practicable with current technologies but will be central in achieving RNLI’s ambition to be Zero Carbon by 2050. During this webinar, recorded on 20th May 2021, we were joined by the RNLI team, who share more about how the organisation offers a relatively unique position of in-house maritime engineering, design and build in our factories coupled with operation, maintenance and disposal, giving a whole life perspective for trials and collaboration for the electrification of marine-based emergency services.

1. rnli.org
Engage with… RNLI
The Implications and Practicalities of Electrification of
Our Marine-based Emergency Service
John Newell –
Chair RNLI Technical Committee
Victoria Limbrick –
Energy & Environmental Resource Manager
20th May 2021

2. rnli.org
The Fleet – Capability & Coverage
Operational Requirements
To launch within 10 minutes of being notified
To operate up to 100 nautical miles out to sea
To reach at least 90% of all casualties within 10 nautical miles of the coast, within 30 minutes of launch – in any weather
238 Lifeboat Stations around the UK and Irish Coastline
240 Lifeguarded beaches
Marine Emergency Services Challenges
Unpredictable duration of operation
Unpredictable conditions
Towing requirement
Repeat call out

3. rnli.org
The Fleet – Inshore Lifeboats
Fleet size : c. 350
Max speed : 35 / 25 knots
Endurance : typically 3 hours
Crew : 3/4
Class Service Fleet size
Load
(kg)
Light
(kg)
LOA
(m)
Beam
(m)
Draught
(m) Propulsion
Total
Power
(kW)
Fuel
(Litres)
A
(Arancia)
2002
Mostly LGs 30 313 118 3.9 1.7 NA 1 x OE 22 20
B
(Atlantic 85)
2005
Re-design 2021 120 2450 1950 8.4 2.8 0.5 2 x OE 172 210
D
(IB1) 2003 135 450 300 5.0 2.0 NA 1 x OE 37 60
E Thames only 5 5800 5000 10.3 3.5 0.7 2 x waterjet 649 500
IRH
2002
Replacement
2023? 7 3860 2350 7.8 3.9 NA 2 x Fan 164 127

4. rnli.org
The Fleet – All Weather Lifeboats
Class Service Fleet size
Load
(kg)
Light
(kg)
LOA
(m)
Beam
(m)
Draught
(m) Propulsion
Total
Power
(kW)
Fuel
(Litres)
Severn
(MTU)
1996
MLU from 2021
onwards 44 42.3 36.0 17.3 5.9 1.8 Twin Prop 1194 5600
Tamar
2005 - MLU due
2030 27 31.5 26.5 16.3 5.3 1.4 Twin Prop 1492 4600
Shannon
2013 - MLU due
2038
tbc (80?)
In production 17.7 14.7 13.6 4.5 0.9 Twin waterjet 970 2740
Trent
2007 - No MLU
Exit from 2021
onwards 35 28.5 24.0 14.3 4.9 1.5 Twin Prop 1268 4180
Fleet size : Approx 150
Max speed : 25 knots
Endurance : 10 hours @ 25 knots
Inherently self righting
Crew : 6/7

5. rnli.org
RNLI Engineering & Supply – Design, Build, Repair & Maintain
580 Staff Across 40 Professions:
- Naval Architecture
- Engine Design & Modification
- Launch & Recovery
- Production
- Manufacture
- Maintenance
- Repair
- Survey
- Electronics
3 Manufacturing Facilities
- All Weather Lifeboats
- Inshore Lifeboats
- Launch & Recovery
2,500 Assets
23,000 Items of Equipment
£100M portfolio

6. rnli.org
Our Future - Zero Carbon 2050 & Alternative Propulsion
Alternative Propulsion Project
- Trials and collaboration
- Technological opportunities and limitations
- Potential operational alterations to facilitate change
A Truly Sustainable Organisation
Strategy 2050
Carbon Plan
Technology roadmap
Climate Change Adaptation

7. rnli.org
Thank You
Any Questions?
John Newell –
Chair RNLI Technical Committee
Victoria Limbrick –
Energy & Environmental Resource Manager