Thames-class lifeboat
RNLB 50-001 Rotary Service (ON 1031) at Dover. Photo: Mike Louagie | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | Brooke Marine, Lowestoft |
| Operators | Royal National Lifeboat Institution |
| Preceded by | Barnett-class |
| Succeeded by | Arun-class |
| Built | 1973–1974 |
| In service | 1974–1997 |
| Planned | 6 |
| Completed | 2 |
| Canceled | 4 |
| Active | 0 |
| Retired | 2 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Motor lifeboat |
| Displacement | 24–27 tons |
| Length | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Beam | 14 ft 6 in (4.42 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 17.5 knots (20.1 mph) |
| Range | 210 nautical miles (390 km) |
| Crew | 6 |
The Thames-class lifeboat was operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from just three stations around the coast of the United Kingdom, between 1974 and 1997. Six were ordered but only two were completed. In line with the usual RNLI lifeboat naming convention since the 1960s, the class takes its name from a river, in this case, the River Thames, which flows through London and into the North Sea.