Tyne-class lifeboat

Tyne class lifeboats were designed to serve the shores of the UK and Ireland as a part of the RNLI fleet. They are named after the River Tyne in north-east England.

They were designed to be launched from slipways or operate in shallow waters where hitting the bottom was a concern. The class was introduced in 1982, and the last boat was built in 1990.

The replacement for the Tyne class is the Tamar class lifeboat, which is the most advanced vessel currently in the RNLI fleet. The Tamar is 7 knots faster than the existing Tyne class which will allow it to reach casualties faster. However, only 27 Tamars have been built, compared to 40 Tynes, leaving the remaining Tynes on station to be replaced with Shannon-class boats.

History
The two prototype boats were built in 1982. 47-001 entered service at Selsey in 1982, while 47-002 was put into service in the relief fleet in 1984 by which time the first production boats were under construction. The RNLI retired the first of the class in more than 20 years later. Eight of the earliest boats were sold to China for further duties in 2007 and 2008.

After over 20 years of service, they are gradually being replaced by the substantially larger and more powerful Tamar class lifeboat, for which new slipway stations are being constructed.

Design
The unusual design of this lifeboat derives from the requirement to deploy from slipway stations built for previous generations of lifeboats, with limited clearance. The Tyne also lies afloat at stations where the approaches, or operating areas, are particularly shallow.

As the lifeboat propellers are protected by heavy bilge keels, she is particularly well suited to operate where there is a danger of hitting the bottom, or tapping as it is known colloquially.

Fleet
'ON' is the RNLI's Official Number; 'Op. No.' is the operational number carried on the hull. Stations given correct in 2010 unless otherwise stated.