In September, 1969, the R.N.L.I, placed its first order for new fast boats to be built with GRP (glass reinforced plastic) hulls. Known as the McLachlan, the initial batch was built by Messrs.

William Osborne Ltd. at Ltttlehampton under the supervision of the designer, Mr J. A. Mc- Lachlan of G. L. Watson & Co. of Glasgow. A feature of the boat is the ragged chine construction.

The chines reduce the amount of flat surface exposed to the sea when the boat is lifting and plunging at full speed. Pictures show (1-4) stages in the construction of a McLachlan boat at Littlehampton using the GRP technique, (5) completed hull, (6) stern showing twin inboard diesel engines with outboard drives, (7) one of the 49 h.p. diesels, (8) view looking forward. The photographer was Mr. Ronald E. Turner of the R.N.LI.'s hull drawing office staff..