Atlantic 85
BuildersInshore Lifeboat Centre, Cowes
Operators Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Class beforeAtlantic 75
Cost£320,000
In service range2005–
In commission range2006–
Total ships completed144
Atlantic 85-class lifeboat
ClassB-class Atlantic 85
Displacement1.8 tonnes
Length8.44 m (27.7 ft)
Beam2.85 m (9.4 ft)
Draught0.53 m (1.7 ft)
Propulsion
  • 2 × Yamaha 4-stroke outboard engines, 115 hp (86 kW)
  • 210 litres fuel
Speed35 knots (40 mph; 65 km/h)
Endurance2.5 hours
Capacity24
Complement4

The Atlantic 85 is a third-generation B-class rigid inflatable boat (RIB) inshore lifeboat. It is operated around the shores of the British Isles and the Channel Islands by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). It was developed from the and the later . It entered service in 2005, and gradually replaced the Atlantic 75.

The Atlantic design of the B-class of lifeboats is named after Atlantic College, where the design was developed.[1]

Design

The hull is made of a fibre-reinforced composite, consisting of a carbon fibre and foam core laminate with an epoxy glass and foam sandwich layup. The tubes are Hypalon.

The boat is powered by twin 115 hp (86 kW) Yamaha 4-stroke outboard engines that have been inversion-proofed to ensure the engines are still operational after a capsize.

Like previous RIBs, it has a manually operated self-righting mechanism that deploys an airbag mounted atop the A-frame. It can be beached in an emergency without damage to engines or steering gear. The Atlantic 85 is fitted with radar and VHF direction finding equipment and can be operated safely in daylight in a force 6/7 wind and at night in a force 5/6.[2]

The Atlantic 85 has intercom communications between the crew and VHF radio via their helmets. The lifeboat is also equipped with the RNLI's SIMS (ship information & management system) which provides the crew with combined chartplotter and AIS, radar and VHF directional finding capability. It carries searchlights, handheld night-vision equipment and illuminating paraflares for night-time operations, as well as casualty care equipment.

To ensure equipment is kept to a high standard of repair, boats go through annual or bi-annual overhauls, and 4-year refits.[3]

All of the following fleet details are referenced to the 2026 Lifeboat Enthusiast Society Handbook, with information retrieved directly from RNLI records.[4]

Atlantic 85 fleet

B-800 – B-899

Op. No.[a]NameIn service[4]StationComments
B-800Unnamed–PrototypeB-PO2
B-801The Drayton Manor2004–2006Trials
2006Relief fleet
2006
2006–2014Relief fleet
2014–2017Training fleet
2017–2021Relief fleet
2021–2022Training fleet
B-802Chelsea Flower Show2006–2015Relief fleet
B-802C2015–Training fleet
B-803William Hurst2006–2019Relief fleet
B-803C2020–Training fleet
B-804Lydia Macdonald2006–2022
The Jillian Scott: Spirit of the West Wight V2024–Freshwater Bay
B-805Jessie Hillyard2006–2024
B-806Mudeford Servant
(Civil Service No. 48)		2006–2024
B-807Mary Lewis2006–2017Relief fleet
2017–2024Training fleet
B-808Donald McLauchlan2006–2025
B-809The Two Annes2006–2024Sold, in service with Bote Salvavidas de Valparaiso, Chile, Jan 2026
2026–Valparaiso
B-810Tabbycat2006–2008Relief fleet
2008–2012
2012–2021Relief fleet
2021–2022Training fleet
2023–Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
B-811Hylton Burdon2007–2022
2023–Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
B-812Frank William Walton2006–
B-813Muriel and Leslie2006–2025
B-814Sheila Stenhouse2006–
B-815Peterborough Beer Festival III2006–2021Relief fleet
2021–2022
2022–2024Training fleet
B-816David Page2007–2022
2022–2024Relief Fleet
B-817Wolseley2007–2024Sold 2024, to Iceland ICE-SAR
B-818The Oddfellows2007–
B-819Minnie and Ernest George Barry2007–2026
2026–Relief fleet
B-820Elizabeth Jane Palmer2007–
B-821Gladys Mildred2007–2023
B-822Spirit of Friendship2007–2023Sold 2024, to Björgunarsveitin Ársæll, Iceland SAR
2024–Reykjavík
B-823Doris Joan2007–2023
Spirit of Hornsea2024–Hornsea Inshore Rescue
B-824Richard and Elizabeth Deaves2007–2023Donated 2025, to Royal Montserrat Police Service
B-825Norma Ethel Vinall2008–2020Relief fleet
2020–2022
2022–Training fleet
B-826Sgt. Bob Martin
(Civil Service No. 50)		2008–
B-827Olive Laura Deare II2008–
B-828Elaine and Don Wilkinson2008–
B-829Derrick Battle2009–
B-830Douglas Murray2008–2021Relief fleet
2021–2023
2024–Relief fleet
B-831Joy Morris 2009–
B-832Rose of The Shires2009–
B-833Blue Peter V2009–
B-834William Henry Liddington 2009–
B-835Martin Harvey2009–2024Relief fleet
2024–2025Training fleet
2025–Relief fleet
B-836Tommy Niven2009–
B-837Charles Dibdin
(Civil Service No.51)		2009–
B-838Annette Mary Liddington2010–
B-839Maureen Lillian2010–
B-840Harold Bains2010–2022Training fleet
2022–2023Relief fleet
2023–Training fleet
B-841Eric W. Wilson2010–
B-842Hello Herbie2010–2015
B-843Geoffrey Charles2010–
B-844Edith Louise Eastwick2010–
B-845James Dugdale2010–2015Relief fleet
2015–2021Training fleet
2021–2025Relief fleet
2025–2026
2026–Relief fleet
B-846Norma T2010–
B-847Hereford Endeavour2010–
B-848Spirit of West Norfolk2011–
B-849Tony and Robert Britt2011–
B-850Edna May2011–2024Relief fleet
2024–Training fleet
B-851Jimmie Cairncross2012–
B-852Random Harvest2011–
B-853Binny2011–
B-854R. A. Wilson2011–
B-855Eric C. Guest2011–2016Relief fleet
2016–2020Training fleet
2020(Eval.)
2020–2022Relief fleet
2022–Training fleet
B-856Spirit of Fred. Olsen2011–
B-857Spirit of Loch Fyne2012–
B-858Leicester Challenge III2012–
B-859Sheena Louise2012–
B-860Max Walls2012–
B-861Glanely2012–
B-862James and Helen Mason2012–
B-863David Porter MPS2012–2025
2025–Relief fleet
B-864Richard Wake Burdon2012–
B-865Malcolm and Mona Bennett-Williams2012–2022Relief fleet
2022–2024Training fleet
2024–Relief fleet
B-866Louis Simson2013–
B-867William and Eleanor2013–
B-868Annie Tranmer2013–
B-869Joyce King2013–
B-870John and Louisa Fisher2013–2021Relief fleet
2021–2025
2025–Relief fleet
B-871Albatross2013–
B-872Toby Rundle2014–
B-873Robert and Isobel Mowat2014–
B-874Robert Armstrong2014–
B-875Alexander2014–2015Relief fleet
2015–2017
2018–2023Relief fleet
2023–
B-876Rachael Hedderwick2014–Arran (Lamlash)
B-877Lewisco2014–
B-878Claire and David Delves2014–
B-879Just George2014–
B-880Martin Frederick Whitehouse2014–Relief fleet
B-881Solihull2015–
B-882David Bradley2015–
B-883Roy Snewin2015–Relief fleet
B-884My Lady Anne2015–
B-885Julia & Angus Wright2016–
B-886Peter and Ann Setten2015–
B-887Jacqueline Saville2015–
B-888Sheila & Dennis Tongue2015–
B-889Elizabeth and Maraget Milligan2015–2019Relief fleet
2019–2024
2024–Relief fleet
B-890Gordon and Phil2016–
B-891Renée Sherman2016–
B-892John and Janet2016–
B-893Mollie and Ivor Dent2016–
B-894Sheila & Dennis Tongue II2016–
B-895Irene Cornford2016–Relief fleet
B-896Hugh Miles2016–
B-897Sheila & Dennis Tongue III2016–
B-898Susan Margaret Forsbrey2017–Relief fleet
B-899Howard Bell2017–2023[5]
2024–2025
2025–Relief fleet

B-900 – B-999

Op. No.[a]NameIn service[4]Station[b]Comments
B-900Hello Herbie II2017–
B-901Enid Foster 2017–Relief fleet
B-902Sheila & Dennis Tongue IV2018–
B-903Angus and Muriel Mackay2017–
B-904Douglas, Euan and Kay Richards2017–
B-905Gladys Hilda Mustoe2018–
B-906Charles Lucock2018–Relief Fleet
B-907Tierney Harvey & Sonny Reid2018–
B-908Annabel E. Jones2018–
B-909
  • Miss Sally Anne (Baggy) II
  • Never Fear, Baggy's Here
2018–[6]
B-910Rita Daphne Smyth2018–
B-911Jean Spier2019–
B-912John and Jean Lewis2018–
B-913Pride of Fred. Olsen2019Relief Fleet[7]
2019
2019–2020Relief Fleet
2020–2021
2021–2024
B-914Doris Day and Brian2019–
B-915The Missus Barrie2019–
B-916Robina Nixon Chard2019–
B-917Jack & Phyl Cleare2021–
B-918Ted Dawber2019–Relief Fleet
B-919Jamie Hunter2019–
B-920Tara Scougall2019–
B-921Vivacious Atlantic2019–Relief Fleet
B-922Jean McIvor2020–
B-923Patricia Southall2021–
B-924Christine and Raymond Fielding2021–
B-925John Rowntree2021–Gt. Yarmouth & Gorleston
B-926Julie Poole2021–Relief fleet
B-927Dylan Rotchell2021–2023Relief fleet
2023–2025
2025–Relief fleet
B-928Marjorie Shepherd2021–
B-929Paul and Stella Rowsell2021–Relief fleet
B-930Colonel Stock2022–
B-931Frank C Samworth2022–[8]
B-932Pamela Rosemary Dashwood2022–Relief fleet
B-933Skipasund2022–[9]
B-934The Spirit of St Helier2022–[10]
B-935Daddy's Girl2022–
B-936Uncle Johnny2023–[11]
B-937Florence and Ernest Bowles2023–
B-938Frank Townley2023–
B-939Penny J II2023–[12]
B-940Penny J2024–
B-941Sam and Freda Parkinson2024–Relief fleet
B-942Loving You2025–
B-943Harold Hobbs2024–[13]
B-944Ruby Robinson2024–[14]
B-945SeaGil2024–
B-946Spirit of Cooperation2024–Relief fleet
B-947Claude and Kath2024–[15]
B-948Herietta H2024–[16]
B-949Ralph2025–[5]
B-950Hounslow Branch2025–[17]
B-951Neil Crowe2025–[18]
B-952George D Dowtbc()
B-953Oddfellows - Making Friends, Helping Peopletbc()
B-954June Marshall2025–[19]
B-955Berylium2025–
B-956Spirit of Daisy2026–
B-957tbc()In production
B-958Davdot2026–[20]
B-959tbc()In production
B-960tbc(Relief fleet)
B-961tbc()
B-962tbc
B-963tbc()
B-964tbc()
B-964tbc()
  1. ^ Op. No. is the RNLI's operational number of the boat
  2. ^ (Brackets) used to signify that a boat is assigned to a specific station, but isn't yet at that location.

See also

References

  1. ^ "B class Atlantic lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Atlantic 85 Details". RNLI. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2009.
  3. ^ "Inshore Lifeboat Centre - Repairs and overhauls". RNLI.org. RNLI. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  4. ^ Leonard, Richie & Denton, Tony (2026). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2026. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 65–68.
  5. ^ "Aldeburgh RNLI Atlantic 85 lifeboat delivered". RNLI. 3 February 2025.
  6. ^ "Kinsale RNLI names new lifeboat in memory of donor, 'godmother' and friend". RNLI. Retrieved 26 Aug 2018.
  7. ^ "Fred. Olsen guests fund and name new RNLI lifeboat". RNLI.
  8. ^ Haines, Emma (21 May 2023). "Dart RNLI volunteers officially name their new Atlantic 85 class lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Skipasund Lifeboat Arrives in Macduff". The Skipasund Foundation. Skipasund Foundation. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Jersey's RNLI takes delivery of new lifeboat – and it is immediately called into action". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  11. ^ "Newquay RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew welcomes brand new B-Class lifeboat". RNLI. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  12. ^ "Lifeboat named and revamped RNLI station officially opened in Minehead". West Somerset Free Press. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  13. ^ "New Guernsey RNLI lifeboat honours volunteer killed in WW2". BBC. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  14. ^ McAloon, Nuala (26 June 2024). "New Atlantic 85 class inshore lifeboat goes on service at Bangor RNLI". RNLI. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  15. ^ Furlong, Amy (13 November 2024). "Teignmouth RNLI receive new Atlantic 85 lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  16. ^ King, Robert (5 December 2024). "New lifeboat for Mudeford RNLI". RNLI. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  17. ^ "New lifeboat for Walmer RNLI". RNLI. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  18. ^ Beesley, Niki (24 June 2025). "New Atlantic 85 class lifeboat arrives at Port Erin RNLI". RNLI. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  19. ^ Macnamara, Martin (29 October 2025). "Arbroath RNLI welcome their new Atlantic 85 lifeboat". RNLI. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  20. ^ McAloon, Nuala (9 April 2026). "New Atlantic 85 class lifeboat arrives at Lough Swilly RNLI". RNLI. Retrieved 9 April 2026.