New RNLI lifeboat with fibreglass hull on show at Newhaven

Feb. 26 New experimental RNLI lifeboat with fibreglass hull: A new experimental boat has been built for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution with a glass reinforced plastic (GRP) hull and deck. The hull, which is a standard commercial one, was designed by T.T. Boat Designs Ltd. of Bembridge, and moulded by Messrs Halmatic Ltd. of Havant, for Keith Nelson Ltd. of Bembridge. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, in conjunction with Keith Nelson, has designed the internal and deck layout of the boat. The new boat, which is 40 feet in length, completed her initial series of sea trials between Littlehampton and the Isle of Wight. She was shown to the Press today at Newhaven, before beginning extended sea trials, after which it is intended she should be used at selected lifeboat stations for operational evaluation. The purposes of these extended trials is to test a standard fibreglass hull in the most severe weather conditions in order to assess its possibilities for future use in lifeboat construction. Photo shows the new experimental lifeboat proceeding through heavy weather, during today's demonstration at Newhaven

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Assess Bembridge Conjunction Evaluation Experimental Extended Fibreglass Havant Hull Initial Intended Internal Layout Lifeboat Littlehampton Messrs Moulded Newhaven Operational Possibilities Proceeding Purposes Reinforced Rnli Selected Severe Wight

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