The City of London branch of the RNLI celebrated its centenary in 1994. To mark the occasion HRH Duke of Kent launched a £1.3 million appeal to fund the new Severn Class lifeboat for Dover. Support for the appeal was outstanding. Thanks to the generosity of many companies, institutions and individuals within the Square Mile together with the bequests of Mrs E. Horsfield and Mrs G. Koss, the target was rapidly achieved.

 

17-09 'City of London II' arrived in March 1997 and is Dover's 16th lifeboat, succeeding the Thames class lifeboat 'Rotary Service'. For more details of Dover's previous lifeboats click here.

Length:	17m
Beam:	6m
Draught:	1.8m
Top speed:	25 kts
Displacement:	44 tonnes
Crew:	6 + Doctor
Range:	250 n. miles

 

The Severn class lifeboat was designed and developed by RNLI staff to replace lifeboats that lay afloat such as the Arun and Waveney classes. The design requirement was for two lifeboats of different sizes, capable of greater speed, and providing protected propellers and the ability to take to the ground if required. The Severn and Trent class lifeboats were the result. Both are capable of 25 knots, and are self righting.

 

The Severn class is constructed from fibre reinforced composite (FRC) which combines strength with light weight. A sandwich form of construction is used for the topsides, deck and superstructure. Single skin construction is used for the hull. The hull is subdivided into seven compartments and the deck house contains permanent seating for six crew and a doctor, together with stretcher positions. There is provision for two additional stretchers in the lower survivor space.

 

Unlike the Trent, the Severn is fitted with a bow thruster for increased manoeuvrability.

Power is provided by two Caterpillar diesel engines each providing approximately 1250 bhp. The lifeboat carries 5500 litres of diesel which provide it with at least ten hours endurance at maximum speed. The crane mounted aft of the wheelhouse allows the small inflatable 'Y' class lifeboat carried atop the wheel house to be launched and recovered. An advanced suite of electronics is fitted to aid the crew including radar, laser chart plotter, Global Positioning System, echo sounder and a range of radios.