HAYLING ISLAND LIFEBOAT STATION

 

 
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The Lifeboats at Hayling Island
 
The  B712 Atlantic 75 "B" Class lifeboat "Betty Battle" has been on station since 1995. The "Betty Battle" was generously donated to the RNLI for service at Hayling Island by Mr & Mrs Derrick Battle. Mrs Battle, after whom the lifeboat was named, is a regular visitor to the station.

The Atlantic 75 B Class lifeboat is 7.5 metres long (approx 25ft) with a rigid hull and inflatable sponsons . It  is self righting with the aid of an emergency air bag at the stern. The boat is powered by twin 70hp outboard motors which gives a top speed of 30 knots and an endurance of 3 hours with a full day and night time capability. The boat will carry a crew of three or four depending on the conditions.


The "Amanda, James & Ben"  D642 D Class (IB1) lifeboat was put on station in May 2005. It is powered by a 50hp outboard engine giving a top speed of 25 knots. It carries a crew of three and has an endurance of 3 hours. This lifeboat was also funded by Mrs Betty Battle and named after her grandchildren. This smaller inshore lifeboat is ideally suited for dealing with casualties close in shore , people cut off by the tide, children on inflatable toys and airbeds or for searching the 17 miles of channels inside Chichester Harbour.   The D Class lifeboat has a full day time and limited night time capability.


The lifeboats are launched from trailers which are pushed across the shingle beach into the sea by tractors.   The DODO (drive on/drive off) rig was designed by the RNLI  for use with their B Class, Atlantic 21 and 75 lifeboats. Two fresh water tanks are on the side of the trailer which allows the lifeboat engines to be started out of the water ensuring they are running smoothly before the lifeboat is launched. The trailer is fitted with lights for night time recovery. The Ford County agricultural even wheeled tractor has been marinised with a specially designed hull and  a waterproof cab. It has four wheel drive complete with high/low ratio gears, bilge pump, VHF radio and an hydraulic winch.

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www.haylinglifeboats.org.uk E.mail: webmaster@haylinglifeboats.org.uk
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a Registered Charity No 209603