The Barra Island Lifeboat Page 4
Arun class and Severn class make for Castlebay
Click on thumbnail above for larger picture.
As a result of extensive tank testing a hard chine hull form has been adopted for the Severn class lifeboat. Propeller protection is provided by tunnels and by deep bilge keels which also allow the boat to take ground should the need arise.
Severn hulls are built from fibre reinforced composite (FRC) which combines strength with relative light weight. They are subdivided into seven compartments and the deckhouse contains permanent seating for six crew and a doctor together with stretcher positions. There is provision for two additional stretchers in the lower survival space. The deckhouse on the new Severn class has to be seen to be believed. Excellent design.
Severn is also fitted with a bow thruster and also has a laser chart plotter.
The electronics include an echo sounder, speed log, anemometer, GPS (satellite navigator), MF radio transmitter and receiver, VHF radio telephone, MF/VHF direction finder, and an intercom system.
The deck sheerline is dropped (in a similar way to our previous Arun class) reducing the freeboard to help casualty handling. The Severn also has a well deck to port and starboard to assist further in survivor recovery.
For operations in shallow water or confined space the Severn carries a Y class inflatable on the wheelhouse roof.
The new boat was welcomed by the previous 'Arun' class lifeboat RNLI Ann Lewis Fraser and resident piper.
An Islands' welcome for RNLI 17-12
Click on thumbnail above for larger picture.
RNLI 17-12 at Castlebay pier
Click on thumbnail above for larger picture.
Some of these photos taken by Vladimir Dasiukevich (Isle of Barra Hotel).
You can find more of Vladimirs' work (including local views and landscapes) at the Isle of Barra Hotel, Tangusdale, Barra.
Vladimir also helps run the Isle of Barra Community online at These pages are excellent for the latest weekly news from Barra.
Many station and groups are setting up Webpages. Here are some I found at Links to other Lifeboat crews
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Copyright © 1997-2002 John Gruson
