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Clacton on Sea |
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The Atlantic 21
1984 - 1998
The Clacton Atlantic 21
The picture here of the Clacton Atlantic 21 airborne of the west beach. Powered by two 55hp outboard engines which give a top speed of 30 knots, with a crew of three and all the equipment on board, it can carry out all types of rescue. The Atlantic 21 was introduced in 1972 although its called an Atlantic 21 its length is 6.9m (22ft 9ins) built of glass reinforced plastic hull with hypalon coated nylon inflatable tubes.
The Atlantic 21 Lifeboat was developed by the RNLI from a design originated at Atlantic College, South Wales in the late 1960`s
| The RNLI was seeking increased speed, easier handling and greater range in its lifeboat fleet. The Atlantic 21 possessed these qualities. The fitting of navigation lights and a VHF radio with a communication range of a least ten miles has produced the addition asset of a night capability. The Atlantic 21 is a rigid inflatable, the hull being made of glass reinforced plastic, subdivided into watertight compartments. The hulls are made by Halmatic Ltd. of Havant. The fitting of the inflatable tubes, engines, steering, self-righting gear and other equipment is carried out at the RNLI's base at East Cowes, Isle of Wight. The crew of three is seated at a console unit which contains radio, compass, controls, batteries and other equipment. |
| In the event of the Atlantic 21 being capsized, a crew member
activates a gas bottle which rapidly inflates the bag on the roll-bar assembly above the
engines (see picture). Within a few seconds the boat rolls upright and the
engines which are inversion proofed by special valves, invented by RNLI engineers, may be
re-started.
The Atlantic 21 in a capsize exercise just about to re-right |
| The slipway at Clacton was modified
when the Oakley Lifeboat left, rail were fitted for the carriage, also the
winch had to be modified so it ran faster
The slipway on Clacton Pier |
From the back: Mick Lynn, Tony Harvey, John Boulter, Ian Walsh, Rob Bradbrook, Dave Wells, Paul Evans.
Clacton's Lifeboat crew of the 1986
Back: Ian Walsh, Ian Mantripp, Paul Evans, Dave Mantripp, Mark Edwards, Andy Walsh, Rob Bradbrook
Front: Steve Moffatt, Lee Bolingbroke, Mick Lynn, Terry Bolingbroke, Dave Wells
