All Weather Lifeboat

The Station has two Lifeboats - a Severn Class - Operational Number 1255 - Class Number 17-28 and D-651 an inflatable. This section of the site covers the Specification of 'RNLB Alec and Christina Dykes'.

The Severn Class boat was named on the 18th August 2002. She came to Torbay and took up service on 31st October 2001. During her commissioning period the boat spent time at the Southampton Boat Show and visited the River Thames.

The boat is named 'RNLB Alec and Christina Dykes' in memory of Mrs Helen Christina Dykes whose bequest covered almost half of the build cost. A number of other individuals and organisations made significant contributions to the lifeboat and its facilities. These are noted on a brass plaque which is mounted in the wheelhouse. Mrs Dykes during her lifetime donated a 'D Class' to Ilfracombe Station which was named in memory of her husband.

The Station D Class Inshore Lifeboat is D-651 and named 'John William Hirst'. See ILB Section for details

For information the lifeboats are described within the service as the 'All Weather Boat' (ALB) and the 'Inshore Lifeboat' (ILB)

To view a summary of monthly launches for both lifeboats click here.

A list of all lifeboats that have served Torbay are set down under the Torbay History Section.

Name	RNLB Alec and Christina Dykes
Class	Severn
Side Number	RNLI 17-28 (length and Build Number)
Operational Number	ON 1255
Construction	Single skin Fibre Reinforced Composite (FRC) below chine. Foam covered sandwich above Chine
Length	17.3 metres (56 ft 9ins)	Range	250 miles
Beam	5.9 metres (19 ft 4 ins)	Crew	6 + 1 (Doctor Monitoring Position)
Draft	1.78 metres (5 ft 10 ins)	Construction	FRC (Fibre Reinforced composite)
Displacement	42 tonnes
Design Speed	25 knots	Engines	2 x CAT 1200 hp at 2300 rpm
Endurance	12 hours (at Design Speed)	Range	250 nautical miles
Propulsion	Twin 5 Blade Contra rotating props	Gear Box	'V' Drive Configuration
Fuel	5600 litres (2 x 2800 litres) 1232 gals	Consumption - on service	Design Speed - 450 litres per hour
Casualties	Fully secured - 12	Consumption - on passage	20 knots - 350 litres per hour
Inflatable	'Y' Class	'Y' Class Outboard	15 hp
The most recent refit occurred between August and November 2010 at 'South Boats', Cowes, Isle of Wight

The Severn Class is the largest in the RNLI fleet; it carries a Y class inflatable with a 15 HP outboard that can be launched with an on-board hydraulic hoist. The Severn Class shares a similar hull shape with the smaller Trent class. The last of 44 Severn Class boats was built in 2005. The new Tamar class - a slipway or afloat lifeboat - was introduced in April 2006 and is currently being deployed around the coast.

The AWB 'Y Boat'