History
British RNLI FlagUnited Kingdom
NameManchester Unity of Oddfellows
NamesakeThe Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity,
OwnerRoyal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
BuilderHull by Souter Shipyard, fitted out by RNLI inshore lifeboat centre, Cowes, Isle of Wight.
Official Number:B-702
Donor:A gift of The Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity,
StationsSheringham
Cost£61,000
Laid down1993
In service29 February 1994 to 11 July 2007
General characteristics
Class and typeAtlantic 75
TypeRigid inflatable
Tonnage3,200lbs
Length20 ft 3 in (6.17 m)
Beam8 ft 8 in (2.64 m)
Installed power2 x 70bhp Evinrude engines
PropulsionTwo Outboard engines
Speed32 kn (59 km/h)
Range2.5 hours at max speed
Crew3

RNLB Manchester Unity of Oddfellows (B-702)[1] was an Atlantic 75-class lifeboat rigid-inflatable inshore lifeboat on station at the English coastal town of Sheringham in the county of Norfolk in the United Kingdom.[2] The boat was a permanent replacement for the Atlantic 21-class lifeboat RNLB B-536 which served at Sheringham from 29 January 1994.[1]

Funding and new equipment

Manchester Unity of Oddfellows was the very first Atlantic 75-class of lifeboat to be placed on permanent service at an RNLI station in the United Kingdom, reinforcing the faith and investment in the continuing future of the Sheringham station. The new lifeboat was built at a cost of £61,000[1] and this was funded by the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, who through this new boat maintained their strong link with the Sheringham branch of the RNLI. The organisation had, in the past, funded the long serving Oakley-class lifeboat RNLB The Manchester Unity of Oddfellows (ON 960).[1] The Oddfellows also funded a new powerful tractor to launch the new lifeboat. The tractor, a Talus four wheel drive hydrostatic mode TW24H (registration No. K313 ENT) cost the sum of £147,000.[1] To launch, the new tractor would propel the lifeboat on its carriage trailer, reversing down to the beach on the concrete slipway and pull it back up on retrieval.

Description

The Atlantic 75-class superseded the Atlantic 21-class. The name Atlantic is derived from Atlantic College in Wales, where the rigid inflatable B-class was first developed. The designation 75 is derived from its length of nearly 7.5 m (25 ft). A significant improvement to this class over the 21 is the addition of a ballast tank installed at the front of the lifeboat which enables the craft to launch into larger surf than the previous class. The ballast when full, either of sea water or water from a hose, weighs the same as three fully grown men. The lifeboat has a crew of three and has a top speed of 32 kn (59 km/h) and can operated in severe weather conditions up to winds of near gale force. The design incorporates twin outboard engines which are completely waterproofed, even if totally immersed. The hull of the lifeboat is constructed from Glass Reinforced plastic with a hypalon coated polyester which is highly resistant attack by marine organisms, chemicals and temperature extremes. The lifeboat had a displacement of 1.6 tonnes. Her equipment included two VHF radios, First Aid Kit & oxygen, GPS navigation system, night vision equipment, self-righting system, anchor and various warps, toolkit, towing system, illuminating and distress pyrotechnics, spotlight, torches. The rollbar assembly installed above the engines contains a self-righting bag which was operated by a member of the crew activating a gas bottle.

Service

Manchester Unity of Oddfellows first service took place on 1 April 1994[1] when she was launched to assist local fishing boats. In gusting winds of up to force nine, heavy rain and in poor visibility. The fishing boats had been caught out by the weather. Two of the boats had managed to make it back to shore. The third was called Alison Cathleen with one man aboard. The vessel had turned head to wind but her engine was working on a reduced power. The lifeboat took her into tow and beached her safely.

Relief Lifeboats

During the period of Manchester Unity of Oddfellows service at Sheringham, she was relieved five times by reserve Atlantic 75-class lifeboats. Three of these periods the RNLB Vera Skilton (B-705) took up station as relief. The other two periods were stationed by RNLB Susan Peacock (B-701) and RNLB Eva Pank (B-756).[1]

Rescue and service

This record includes of the relief lifeboats during the period of service of Manchester Unity of Oddfellows (B-702)

  • RNLB Susan Peacock (B-700)
  • RNLB Vera Skilton (B-705)
  • RNLB Eva Pank (B-756)
Manchester Unity of Oddfellows B-702
Date Casualty Lives saved
1994
1 April Fishing boat Alison Cathleen, saved boat 1
Susan Peacock B-700 Relief lifeboat
1994
20 May Fishing boat, escorted boat
Manchester Unity of Oddfellows B-702
1994
26 July Two sailboards, gave help
Vera Skilton B-705 Relief Lifeboat
1994
27 November Barge Polly, gave help
Manchester Unity of Oddfellows B-702
1995
23 March Fishing vessel Verity Ellen,boat and one person brought in
12 April Fishing vessel Carrie Anne,boat and two people brought in
21 April Fishing vessel Samara,boat and one person brought in
25 April Motor fishing vessels Blue Boy, Scout and My Girl II, escorted boats
26 July Motor fishing vessels Blue Boy and My Girl II, escorted boats
1996
28 May Fishing vessel Laura Jane, boat and three people brought in
4 July Fishing vessel Blue Boy,boat and one person brought in
Vera Skilton B-705 Relief Lifeboat
1996
11 September Fishing vessel Blue Boy,boat and one person brought in
1997
9 July Three Divers 3
Manchester Unity of Oddfellows B-702
1997
13 September Motor fishing vessels Mizpah and Valerie Theresa, escorted boats
Vera Skilton B-705 Relief Lifeboat
1998
25 February Injured man on board fishing vessel Katie Girl, Man brought in
28 February Sailboard, gave help
3 April Motor fishing vessels Anna Gail, Sarah Jayne, Verity Ellen and Sheila Joyce, escorted boats
May 22 Fishing vessel, stood by
May 29 Fishing vessel, escorted craft
Manchester Unity of Oddfellows B-702
1998
24 August Motor cruiser Fairlie Knackered, escorted craft
29 September Yacht Sissi, Saved craft 1
14 October Fishing vessel Johnathan James,boat and two people brought in
1999
5 April Yacht, boat and one person brought in.
6 May Fishing vessel, escorted craft
18 May Motor boat, boat and two people brought in.
10 July Dive support craft Desert Moon Six divers, stood by craft 6
Eva Pank B-756 Relief Lifeboat
1999
2 August Two divers 2
Manchester Unity of Oddfellows B-702
1999
6 September Two people stranded 2
2000
14 March Fishing vessel Tradewinds, boat brought in
23 April Fiashing vessel, craft brought in.
24 April Powerboat, two people and craft brought in.
27 May Fishing vessel Minuet, stood by.
28 May Yacht Panter, escorted vessel.
6 August Speedboat Diminished Responsibility, Boat and three people brought in.
27 August Powerboat Independence, Craft brought in 7
12 September Fishing vessel Lynn Anne, gave help
13 September Fishing vessel Fin-Ar-Bed, assisted to save craft
2001
23 March Fishing vessel Tradewinds, craft brought in.
4 April Fishing vessel Providence II, craft brought in.
7 August Jet Ski, saved craft 1
7 August Canoe, sved craft 1
24 August Powerboat, boat and three people brought in
26 August Sick diver on diving boat Calypso, landed 2 people and craft brought in. 1
12 September Jet ski, gave help.
2002
9 January Fishing vessel Zuider Zee, stood by
18 June Man over board from sailboard, saved board and landed one man 1
3 August Skiff, three people and craft brought in
24 October Yacht Quay Sweep, Saved craft 4
24 November Sailboard, craft brought in.
30 November Yacht Kumple, Boat and one person brought in
2003
9 April Two persons cut off by the tide at Stiffkey, stood by
12 May Fishing vessel Laura Jane, stood by
20 June Crab boat Lisa Diane, craft brought in.
24 June Fishing boat Alison Katherine, craft brought in.
31 August Catamaran, stood by.
1 September Sailing dinghy, stood by
2004
3 April Fishing vessel, Boat and one person brought in
18 April Fishing boat Alison Katherine, one person and craft brought in.
2005
15 June Sailing dinghy Warthog, craft brought in.
18 July Inflatable dinghy, stood by
1 August Fishing boat Blue Boy, One person and craft brought in.
7 October Fishing boat Samara, One person and craft brought in.
20 November Fishing boat Harriot Jane, two people and craft brought in.
2006
3 January Fishing boat Lisa Diane, two people and craft brought in.
8 May Fishing boat Trade Winds, escorted vessel
24 June Tanks partially submerged in the sea, gave help
6 July Yacht Blue Celeste, gave help
9 August Yacht Gilly, one person and craft brought in.
23 September Person in the sea, gave help
2007
17 February Person in sea 1

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sheringham Lifeboats: By Leach, Nicholas and Russell, Paul :Published by landmark Pub Ltd, 2009: ISBN 978-1-84306-473-2
  2. ↑ OS Explorer Map 252 - Norfolk Coast East. ISBN 978-0-319-23815-8.
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