BY the end of the 1960s it was obvious that a larger lifeboat, which could operate at night was needed. After testing various rigid hull boats, the RNLI chose one pioneered by Rear Admiral Desmond Hoare at Atlantic College, South Wales. The boat had a rigid wooden hull topped by a sponsor) or tube. The shape of the hull allowed the boat to be pushed through the water by her twin outboard engines at greater speed than was possible in inflatables and the sponson provided stability. Once again RNLI engineers and technicians at Cowes Base developed the design, incorporating strength, stability and the special equipment needed for lifeboat work.

In 1972, the first Atlantic 21 B class lifeboat went into service at Hart/epool. Before long, in October that same year. Crew Member Douglas Gibbin won a bronze medal for an outstanding rescue. A small sailing dinghy had capsized in severe weather and sea conditions. One of the two occupants, a sixteen year old boy, was thrown into the sea. Douglas jumped into the sea himself with a line and eventually managed to reach the boy, saving him from drowning.

Improvements and innovations to the 21ft (6.4m) Atlantic 21 have made her a sophisticated craft. The hulls, now made of GRP (glass reinforced plastic), are delivered bare to Cowes Base where the sponson is secured to the hull and the lifeboat is fully fitted out by HNLI staff. A roll bar assembly above the engines on the stern of the boat provides the mounting for a righting bag, stowed flat. In the event of a capsize, a crew member from the water pulls a ring which activates a gas bottle and inflates the air bag.

The lifeboat turns upright in a few seconds. The twin speed of 30 mph, are inversion proofed, to restart after capsize, using a patented invent/on devised by the RNLI.

The three crew sit on the delta-shaped console in the centre of the lifeboat, the helmsman steering with one hand on the wheel while adjusting the throttles with the other hand. In this way he can avoid difficult seas by going round them or outpacing them.

The Atlantic 21 has attracted world-wide attention. Several overseas lifeboat societies have bought them and sent crews to join with their RNLI counterparts for special training at Cowes Base. Currently, thereare39 Atlantic 21s stationed in the UK and they have launched a total of over 9,000 times and saved over 3,000 lives..