Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 28, 2026

Atlantic 75-class lifeboat

The Atlantic 75 is the second-generation Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) in the B-class series of Inshore lifeboats that were operated around the shores of the British Isles and the Channel Islands by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) between 1993 and 2021. This lifeboat was a development of, and gradually replaced, the Atlantic 21-class lifeboat, and was superseded by the Atlantic 85-class lifeboat.

Last revised
Jul 28, 2026
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≈ 9 min
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Wikipedia ↗
Atlantic 75 - Southend-on-Sea Lifeboat B-776
Class overview
NameAtlantic 75
BuildersInshore Lifeboat Centre, Cowes
Operators Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Preceded byAtlantic 21
Succeeded byAtlantic 85
In service1993-2021
Completed97
Lost1
Retired96
General characteristics
Displacement1.6 tonnes
Length7.38 m (24.2 ft)
Beam2.65 m (8.7 ft)
Draught0.41 m (1.3 ft)
Propulsion2 × Evinrude 2-stroke outboard engines, 70 hp (52 kW) or 2 × Yamaha 75 hp (56 kW) engines
Speed32 knots (37 mph; 59 km/h)
Endurance2.5 hours
Capacity23
Complement3

The Atlantic 75 is the second-generation Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) in the B-class series of Inshore lifeboats that were operated around the shores of the British Isles and the Channel Islands by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) between 1993 and 2021. This lifeboat was a development of, and gradually replaced, the Atlantic 21-class lifeboat, and was superseded by the Atlantic 85-class lifeboat.1

Description

The Atlantic 75 has Hypalon-coated nylon inflatable sponsons. Changing from the grey of the Atlantic 21, all Atlantic 75 sponsons are orange. A conical diaphragm is placed between sections of the sponson, to transfer pressure should damage or leaking occur. The lifeboat has a moulded fibreglass rigid hull, topped with a marine plywood deck, with fuel tanks under the deck. The crew seats are mounted on a fibreglass centre console. A tubular aluminium roll-bar carries communication aerials for GPS satellite navigation and VHF radio, and an inflatable airbag for self-righting. The twin Evinrude 70-hp engines were modified at the RNLI's Inshore Lifeboat Centre at Cowes to prevent water ingress in case of capsize, and allow restart. A tubular mast is provided to mount navigation lights and an emergency blue light.2

One of the main improvements made to the Atlantic 75 is the addition of a 200 L (44 imp gal) ballast tank at the front of the boat which enables the boat to launch into larger surf than the Atlantic 21. This tank is filled by a water scoop between the engines; it keeps the bow of the lifeboat weighed down, allowing higher speeds.3

All of the following fleet details are referenced to the Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society Handbook, published annually, with information retrieved directly from RNLI records.4

Atlantic 75 fleet

Op. No.a Name In service4 Station Comments
B-700 Susan Peacock 1992–1996 Trials Prototype Atlantic 75. Later renamed Vixen, with Poole Harbour Commission
1996–1997 Burnham-on-Crouch
1997–2003 Relief fleet
2003 Looe
2003 Relief fleet
2003–2004 Burnham-on-Sea
2004–2005 Relief fleet
2005 Plymouth
2006–2009 Training fleet
B-701 Gordon England 1994–2001 Relief fleet
2001–2002 Littlestone-on-Sea
2002–2005 Relief fleet
2005–2007 Weston-super-Mare
B-702 Manchester Unity of Oddfellows 1994–2007 Sheringham First Atlantic 75 to be officially placed on service
2007–2012 Enniskillin (Lower)
B-703 Jason Logg 1994–2007 Flamborough Sold 2013
2008–2013 Enniskillin (Upper)
B-704 Enid Mary 1994–2007 Aberystwyth 2021, Sold to the Finnish Lifeboat Institute. Served in Tampere from 2012 to 2022 and moved to Iisalmi in 2023.
2007–2009 Relief fleet
2009–2011 Training fleet
B-705 Vera Skilton 1994–1997 Relief fleet Sold 2010
1997 Appledore
1997–2003 Relief fleet
2003 Kinsale
2003–2004 Relief fleet
2004 Sunderland
2005–2007 Gravesend
2007–2010 Lough Derg
B-706 Blue Peter V 1994–2009 Portaferry Sold 2011
Unnamed 2009–2011 Training fleet
B-707 Mercurious 1994–2007 Criccieth To National Maritime Museum, Falmouth 2015
2007–2008 Relief fleet
2008–2011 Loch Ness
2011–2015 Relief fleet
B-708 Bessie 1994–2007 Minehead
2007–2008 Relief fleet
2008–2012 Baltimore
2012–2013 Relief fleet
Spirit of Hornsea 2013–2019 Hornsea Inshore Rescue
B-709 Lucy Beryl 1995–2001 Relief fleet 2011, Sold to Finnish Lifeboat Institution, Kaskinen Finland
2001–2002 Kessock
2002–2007 Relief fleet
2007–2011 Training fleet
B-710 Friendly Forrester II 1995–2008 Poole Sold 2013.
2008–2009 Relief fleet
2009–2012 Happisburgh
2012–2013 Relief fleet
B-711 Helene 1995–2009 Bundoran Sold in Holland 2012.
2009–2012 Training fleet
B-712 Betty Battle 1995–2009 Hayling Island Sold to ICE-SAR 2010, at Eyrarbakki, Iceland.
2009–2010 Relief fleet
B-713 OEM Stone I 1995–2008 Relief fleet With Dorset Police (P003)
2008 Kilkeel
2008–2009 Relief fleet
B-714 Spirit of Cumbria 1995–2008 Silloth Sold to KNRM 2010
2008–2009 Relief fleet
B-715 Phyllis 1995–2007 Newquay Sold to KNRM 2012
2007–2008 Relief fleet
2008 Gravesend
2008–2009 Relief fleet
2009–2012 Training fleet
B-716 Unnamed 1995–1999 Relief fleet Capsize Training boat at RNLI College
Gordon Mote 1999–2017 RNLI College
B-717 Daisy Aitken 1995–2007 Lough Swilly Sold to ICE-SAR, at Skagaströnd.
2007 Newquay
2007–2009 Relief fleet
2009 Training fleet
B-718 Rotaract I 1995–1996 Relief fleet Sold to ICE-SAR
1996–1998 Blackpool
1998–2002 Relief fleet
2002 Crosshaven
2002–2008 Relief fleet
2008–2009 Kirkcudbright
2009 Training fleet
B-719 Percy Henry Patmore MBE MM 1995–2009 St Bees Sold to ICE-SAR
2009 Training fleet
B-720 Frederick Robertson 1995–2009 Kinghorn
2009–2012 Training fleet
B-721 Rock Light 1996–2009 New Brighton Sold to ICE-SAR, at Keflavik
2009 Relief fleet
B-722 Beatrice Dorothy 1996–1998 Relief fleet Dorset Police (P-006) at 2012 Summer Olympics in Weymouth. Last reported with Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK - Marine Conservation Charity
1998 Blackpool
1998–2010 Relief fleet
2010–2013 Hired to Dorset Police (P-006)
B-723 Walters Lifeboat 1996–2009 Relief fleet
2009 Porthcawl
2009-2011 Relief fleet
B-724 Rotarian Dennis Cullen 1996–2008 Relief fleet
2008-2010 Training fleet
2010-2014 Relief fleet
B-725 Spirit of Penarth 1996–2010 Penarth
2010–2012 Relief fleet
B-726 Giles 1996–2009 Porthcawl
2009–2013 Hired to Dorset Police (P-004)
B-727 Commander & Mrs Rodney Wells 1996–2010 Rye Harbour
2010–2011 Relief fleet
B-728 Dorothy Mary 1996–2010 Red Bay
2010–2012 Relief fleet
2012-2014 Lough Ree
B-729 Rose West 1996–2010 Kilrush
2010–2011 Relief fleet
2011–2013 Portishead Lifeboat Trust
B-730 CSMA-Frizell 1996–2010 Portsmouth
2010–2012 Relief fleet
2012 Training fleet
B-731 Dorothy Selina 1997–2010 Trearddur Bay Bought by Nisos Yacht Charter as support vessel in the Ionian Islands, Greece
2010–2011 Relief fleet
2011–2014 Burry Port
B-732 Elizabeth Ann 1997–2007 Relief fleet
2007–2008 Gravesend
2008–2009 Relief fleet
2009–2012 Hired to Dorset Police
B-733 Brandy Hole 1997–2011 Burnham-on-Crouch
2011–2012 Relief fleet
2012–2013 Training fleet
2013–2015 Portishead Lifeboat Trust
B-734 Amy Constance 1997–2002 Relief fleet
2002 Gravesend
2002–2004 Chiswick
2004 Gravesend
2004–2005 Chiswick
2005–2008 Relief fleet
2008–2009 Gravesend
2009–2010 Relief fleet
2010–2012 Training fleet
Haverigg Rescue 2013–2017 Haverigg Inshore Rescue
B-735 Donald and Ethel Macrae 1997–2012 Queensferry Last reported as a private pleasure boat in the Isles of Scilly
2012–2014 Training fleet
B-736 Toshiba Wave Warrior 1997–2002 Relief fleet
2002–2004 Gravesend
2004–2007 Relief fleet
2007–2008 Weston-super-Mare
2008 Relief fleet
2008 Poole
2008–2009 Relief fleet
2009–2010 Training fleet
2010–2012 Lough Derg
B-737 Thelma Glossop 1997–2011 Brighton
2011–2013 Loch Ness
B-738 Dochas 1997–2010 Galway Withdrawn from service as uneconomic repair. Sold as repairable to Private owner in Netherlands.
B-739 Peggy Keith Learmond 1997–2011 Largs Sold to ICE-SAR, at Húsavík
2011–2012 Relief fleet
B-740 Alexander Cattanach 1997–2011 Kyle of Lochalsh
2011–2013 Relief fleet
2013–2014 Stonehaven
B-741 Pearl of Dorset 1997–2012 Lyme Regis
2012–2014 Relief fleet
B-742 Douglas Paley 1997–2012 Appledore
2012 Relief fleet
2012–2015 Happisburgh
2015–2016 Relief fleet
B-743 Alex & Maime Preston 1998–2012 Tighnabruaich Last reported on service with Red Cross in Biscay, Basque Country
2012–2013 Relief fleet
B-744 Robert George Alexander 1998–2012 Clacton-on-Sea Now on service with Red Cross in Biscay, Basque Country
2012–2013 Relief fleet
B-745 CSMA 75th Anniversary 1998–2012 Newbiggin
2012–2013 Relief fleet
2013–2015 Training fleet
B-746 Phyl Clare 3 1998–2015 Weymouth
B-747 Rockabill 1998–2012 Skerries Last reported on service in Lesbos, Greece with HRT5
2012–2013 Relief fleet
2013–2015 Lough Derg
2015–2017 Relief fleet
B-748 Bickerstaffe 1998–2013 Blackpool
2013–2014 Relief fleet
2014–2016 Training fleet
B-749 D J S Haverhill 1998–2011 Hunstanton Sold to ICE-SAR, at Reykjavík
B-750 Leslie Tranmer 1998–2013 Southwold
2013–2015 Relief fleet
2015–2017 Training fleet
B-751 Benjamin Dowing Fairbridge 1999–2013 Clifden
2013–2015 Enniskillin (Upper)
B-752 Tanni Grey 1999–2013 Cardigan
2013–2014 Relief fleet
B-753 City of Bradford V 1999–2001 Relief fleet Last reported on service in Lesbos, Greece, with HRT5
2001–2002 Penlee
2002–2009 Relief fleet
2009 Aberystwyth
2009–2012 Relief fleet
2012–2013 Baltimore
2013–2014 Helvick Head
2014–2016 Relief fleet
B-754 Pride of Sherwood 1999–2000 Relief fleet 6
2000–2001 St Catherine
2001 Relief fleet
2001–2002 Mablethorpe
2002–2012 Relief fleet
2012–2013 Skerries
2013–2016 Relief fleet
B-755 London's Anniversary 175 1999–2003 Relief fleet
2003 Salcombe
2003–2012 Relief fleet
2012–2013 Lough Derg
2013–2014 Relief fleet
2014–2015 Humber (BB)
2015–2016 Southend-on-Sea
2016 Relief fleet
B-756 Eve Pank 1999–2005 Relief fleet Sold to the Finnish Lifeboat Institution, SMPS, last reported at Naantali as PV Reka, callsign VLS4984.
2005–2007 St Helier
2007–2019 Falmouth
B-757 Miss Miriam and Miss Nellie Garbutt 1999–2010 Relief fleet
2010–2011 Galway
2011–2015 Relief fleet
B-758 Sandwell Lifeline 1999–2016 Aberdovey
2016–2017 Relief fleet
B-759 Spirit of Clovelly 1999–2014 Clovelly
2014–2015 Relief fleet
2015 Portishead
2015–2018 Relief fleet
B-760 Alice and Charles 1999–2013 Helvick Head
2013–2016 Baltimore
2016–2017 Relief fleet
B-761 Dignity 2000–2014 West Mersea
B-762 Jack & Joyce Burcombe 2000–2004 Relief fleet
2004–2007 Sunderland
2007–2014 Relief fleet
2014–2017 Stonehaven
Sea Weaver 2021– Hemsby Lifeboat
B-763 Colin James Daniel 2000–2013 Atlantic College
2013–2018 Loch Ness
B-764 Oxford Town & Gown 2000–2014 Whitstable
2014–2015 Relief fleet
B-765 Bob Turnbull 2000–2014 Ramsgate
B-766 BBC Radio Cleveland 2000–2015 Hartlepool 7
2015–2017 Relief fleet
Haverigg Inshore 2017– Haverigg Inshore Rescue
B-767 Maritime Nation 2000–2002 Relief fleet Sold to ICE-SAR, at Suðureyri8
2002 Chiswick
2002–2014 Relief fleet
2014–2017 Union Hall (Eval.)
B-768 Blue Peter II 2000–2010 Beaumaris
2010 Relief fleet
2010–2011 Burry Port
B-769 Coventry & Warwickshire 2001–2005 Weston-super-Mare Last reported with Falkland Islands Fire and Rescue Service, February 2022
2005–2006 Plymouth
2006–2008 Relief fleet
2008–2018 Weston-super-Mare
B-770 The Boys Brigade 2001–2014 Arran (Lamlash)
2014–2015 Relief fleet
2015 St Abbs
2015–2017 Relief fleet
2017–2018 Training fleet
B-771 The Moray Dolphin 2002–2014 Kessock
2014–2016 Relief fleet
B-772 The Eric Rowse 2001–2010 St Catherine Now with Toila SAR9
2010–2014 Relief fleet
2014–2019 Lough Ree
B-773 Duckhams 2001 2001–2015 Relief fleet
2015–2017 Enniskillen (upper)
Spirit of Hornsea 2019–2024 Hornsea Inshore Rescue
B-774 Braemar 2001–2014 Relief fleet
2014 Stonehaven
2014–2015 Relief fleet
2015–2021 Weymouth
B-775 Millennium Forrester 2001–2004 Relief fleet
2004–2018 Plymouth
2018 Dart (Eval.)
B-776 Vic and Billie Whiffen 2001–2015 Southend-on-Sea
2015–2016 Relief fleet
2016–2019 Blyth (Eval.)
B-777 Leicester Challenge II 2001–2012 Redcar
2012–2014 Relief fleet
2014–2018 Burry Port
B-778 Joan Mary 2002–2015 Mablethorpe 2021, Sold to the Finnish Lifeboat Institution. Last reported as a training and backup boat in Bågaskär training center.
2015–2017 Happisburgh
B-779 Blue Peter I 2002–2016 Littlehampton
2016–2017 Relief fleet
2017–2019 Training fleet
B-780 Patricia Jennings 2002–2016 Youghal Transferred to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
2016–2018 Baltimore
B-781 Elsinore 2002–2015 Sligo Bay
2015–2019 Lough Derg
B-782 Miss Betty 2002–2016 Crosshaven
2016–2017 Relief fleet
2017–2019 Stonehaven
2019–2020 Relief fleet
B-783 Dorothy and Katherine Barr II 2002–2015 St Abbs
2015–2016 Humber
BB-783 2016–2023 Boarding Boat (Humber)
B-784 Victor "Danny" Lovelock 2002–2015 Lymington
2015–2020 Relief fleet
Spirit of the West Wight IV 2020–2024 Freshwater Bay
B-785 Fred Clarke 2002–2021 Littlestone-on-Sea Last Atlantic 75 on RNLI Service10
B-786 Seahorse IV 2002–2017 Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Written off
B-787 Paul Alexander 2002–2016 Penlee
2016–2018 Relief fleet
2018–2020 Weston-super-Mare
B-788 Pride of Leicester 2002–2016 Staithes and Runswick
2016–2017 Relief fleet
2017–2021 Great Yarmouth and Gorleston
B-789 Sure and Steadfast 2003–2018 Harwich
2018–2019 Relief Fleet
2019–2021 Blyth
B-790 Margaret Bench of Solihull 2002–2015 Abersoch 2021, Sold to the Finnish Lifeboat Institution.
2015–2017 Relief fleet
2017–2021 Union Hall
B-791 Gladys Winifred Tiffney 2002–2017 Helensburgh Transferred to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
B-792 Joseph and Mary Hiley 2002–2008 Relief fleet
2008–2012 Training fleet
2012–2018 Enniskillen (Lower)
B-793 Alan and Margaret 2003–2016 Looe
2016–2018 Relief fleet
2018–2019 Burry Port
B-794 Joan Bate 2003–2018 Salcombe
2018-2019 Dart (Eval.)
2020-2021 Weston-super-Mare
B-795 Staines Whitfield 2004–2018 Burnham-on-Sea
2018-2019 Relief fleet
2019-2020 Dart
B-796 Miss Sally Anne (Baggy) 2003–2018 Kinsale
2018-2019 Relief Fleet
2019 Blyth
  1. Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat.
References

References

  1. "End of era as last Atlantic 75 stood down". Fishing News. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  2. "The Atlantic 75". The Lifeboat. 56 (542): 24–25. Winter 1997. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  3. "Dart D'Tales" (PDF). Dartmouth RNLI. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  4. Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2026). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2026. Lifeboats Enthusiasts' Society. pp. 63–65.
  5. "| Facebook page of the rescue team in Lesbos". Facebook page. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  6. "B-754 The Pride of Sherwood". RNLI Nottinghamshire. Archived from the original on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  7. "Welcome | Haverigg Inshore Rescue Team". haverigginshore.org.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  8. "| Facebook page of the rescue team in Suðureyri". Facebook page. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  9. "| Facebook page of the Toila Voluntary Marine Rescue". Facebook page. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  10. "End of era as last Atlantic-75 stooddown". Fishing News. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
External links