The Mersey class all-weather lifeboat has been designed and developed by RNLI staff primarily for stations where the lifeboat has to be launched into the sea from a carriage, although she is also operated from a few slipways and afloat berths. Early Mersey Class lifeboats are constructed of aluminium with the first of the class being placed on station in Bridlington in November 1988. Later Mersey Class lifeboats are constructed in fibre reinforced composite (FRC).
The depth of the Mersey, 6 ft (1.86 m),is designed to provide easy access to machinery and a low freeboard for recovering survivors, whilst maintaining sufficient height in the bow for good seakeeping and to prevent taking aboard the lifeboat too much sea in rough weather. The hull is of round bilge semi-displacement form incorporating a tunnel stern to give protection to the propellers.
Should the lifeboat capsize, the inherent buoyancy of her watertight wheelhouse enables her to self-right in 5 seconds.
In the wheelhouse there is permanent seating for a crew of 6 with an additional jump seat provided for a doctor. The wheelhouse console incorporates engine controls, the hydraulic steering unit and wheel, tachometers, alarms, compass, helm indicator and controls for the VHF DF unit, navigation lights, wipers, horn and the searchlight. Full MF/VHF DSC equipment is fitted, along with DGPS and an electronic chart system. Full First Aid system including oxygen and Entonox and a small salvage pump are carried.
Beam: 12 ft 6 in (3.8 m)
Depth: 6 ft (1.86 m)
Draught: 3 ft (0.98 m)
Displacement: 14 tonnes
Engines: 2 x Caterpillar 3208T
(2 x 285 Shp)
Crew: 6
Speed: 17 knots
Range: 145 nm
