A new experimental boat (see page 545) has been built for the Royal National Life-boat Institution with a glass-reinforced plastic (G.R.P.) 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 R.N.L.I., in conjunction with Keith Nelson, has designed the internal and deck lay-out of the boat.

The new boat, which is 40-foot in length, is at present on sea trials, after which it is intended she should be used at selected life-boat stations for opera- tional evaluation. Purpose of these extensive trials is to test a standard fibre-glass hull in the most severe weather conditions in order to assess its possibilities for future use in life-boat construction. In this way it is hoped to produce a thoroughly seaworthy boat which will have greater speed than conventional life-boats, and which, through the use of glass-reinforced plastic, can be produced at substan- tially lower cost.

THE LAYOUT The layout from forward consists of the forepeak, forecabin, wheelhouse, engine room, aft shelter and after peak. The fore peak is filled with foam and is enclosed with a watertight bulkhead. The fore cabin is fitted with two seats and stowage for equipment. The wheelhouse/chartroom contains the engine control panels, which are duplicated on the bridge, and the electronic equipment. The engine room is under the bridge deck.

The engines are two Thornycroft T400 6-cylinder four-stroke turbo-charged diesel engines developing 155 s.h.p. at 2,400 r.p.m. intermittent rating and 125 s.h.p. at 200 r.p.m. continuous rating. Engines are resiliency mounted.

The radar scanner and V.H.F. and U.H.F. antennae are carried on tubular stainless steel structure above the wheelhouse. The M/F whip aerial is mounted on the cabin top.

An R.F.D. 6-man life-raft is mounted on the aft deck. A towing post is fitted at the after end of the bridge deck.

The new life-boat has a maximum speed of 19 knots, a cruising speed of 17 knots, and a range at cruising speed of 440 miles..