Waveney-Class Lifeboat Tour

In this video Rowlie kindly gives us a tour of his Waveney-Class lifeboat Khami (44-003). The Waveney-Class (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waveney...) lifeboats were made between 1964 and 1982. They are self-righting boats with no know weather limitations.
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[@tomcarpenter6744]

As the proud owner of 44-022, I am stoked to see Rowlie get some air time! He is probably the last 44 from either the RNLI or USCG to have a fully functional "Factory stock" 44. The fact that he is using Kahmi for it's intended purpose is just icing on the cake! Keep up the great work, Rowlie, and thank you Stu for putting this together! Oh, My wife and I gave Rowlie the Hula doll!.......She is solar powered! Also, My Waveney came with enough plans and parts lists to get a quote to build one.....Probably be breathtakingly expensive!

[@AndrewHurst]

Hi Tom, I've just aquired the 44-014 and am about to embark on a restoration and have it back in the water as a personal pleasure craft.. Would love to make contact and see what you've done with yours.. I've seen some very nice words about what you've done, and it looks great from the outside.. Be very interested to talk to you..

[@DavidFraserYHZ]

Any fellow like that should never have to buy his own beer at the pub if there are any mariners around. Everyone who spends time on the water should be grateful for guys like him.

[@berniecoles2337]

Many people here in the Blighty question why the RNLI isn’t funded by the government, but by being a charity allows them to procure the best of everything available, to aide and protect the volunteer crew members on a shout and those in need of rescue. If it was funded by the government corners would be cut to save costs and inevitably the effectiveness of the service will be compromised. As is and has always been, the current Shannon, Tamar and Severn class all weather lifeboats are state of the art available at build and all communities that house an RNLI station(including mine)are very proud of them. It’s very reassuring to know when at sea, that they’re there, poised, ready and willing to help no matter what the weather. It’s lovely to see this old girl being cared for by an enthusiast and that she’s still doing what she was built for, saving lives at sea.😁👍

[@rogerbayzand4455]

You are spot on Bernie, if the RNLI was Government funded it would be in a constant need of equipment and repairs. Thankfully the fundraisers do an amazing job and our lifeboats were always in tip top order. Ex Lymington Lifeboat.

[@berniecoles2337]

@@rogerbayzand4455 Unless I’m mistaken, did you used to run a charter boat here in the UK?

[@rogerbayzand4455]

Hi Bernie, yes I ran a series of charter boats called Sundance out of Lymington, now we are happily retired and living on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia. Still fishing 😀👍

[@RichardCowdrey]

I dig this man's passion for the craft and its purpose.

[@scharftalicous]

He's basically made himself a job that want there. Who'd have thought that sea fairing communities value life boats to the point that this guy exists in as a private enterprise.

[@eovdubsvw8743]

The American lifeboats had a orbititral hydraulic unit under the dash for hydraulic steering. It’s amazing how similar that boat looks like the U.S. Coast Guard MLB’s. I took care of 44364 and 44387.

[@barrenfluffit2637]

Wiki says they was based on a US design.

[@jayterry7291]

I operated USCG 44390. 77-80

[@georgeemeny6123]

My last duty station had 44396 & 44401 Florence Ore.

[@erichammond9308]

They are US built 44' MLB's purchased by the RNLI. Built in USCG Baltimore Yard.

[@Buzzcook]

There's a maritime museum in Astoria Oregon with a similar boat sitting outside. Then photos and video inside showing that boat being tossed about like a toy. I'm glad there are people that like that type of work. I hope I never need their services, but its nice to know they're there.

[@malcolmharvey397]

What massive memories. I started my lifeboat life training with Len Patton on Newhaven Lifeboat ( I'm sure it was 44- 019) Provided by Round Table. In preparation for the re-opening of Brighton Lifeboat Station in 1978. God speed and safe passage to all sea fairer's

[@anthonymitchell2189]

What a bloody champion..

[@Jacobtheunwise]

Stuff like this is awesome you should do more boat tours of interesting vessels like this

[@gregorythomas333]

Very cool boat...and gentleman that runs it! It was much larger inside than it looked to be on the outside.

[@jayson0987]

Blokes in his 70 and has 140 years of knowledge, it's gonna suck and be hard to make shit work when we loose people like him and the newer generation has I.T degrees or something we will all wish we took up a trade or learnt/listened to great minds like this. wish i could spend a year or two just learning from him as he does maintenance to his boat.

[@GeneralSpades]

me to mate ,he knows his stuff

[@desolatemetro]

I love all of the self righting lifeboats of the world. Always fun to see a new one, great video, great guy.

[@DangarMarine]

Couldn't agree more!

[@johnappleton3096]

Good video great memories was crew member back in the mid 70s here in gorleston.Nice to see the Khami being looked after

[@russellclarke6855]

Great video Stu, the exhaust system mentioned that is a pipe going across the boat that's open at each side has more to it than just getting the fumes downwind. Both engines exhaust into the pipe and the idea is that the way boats roll it's very unlikely both outlets will be underwater at the same time so back pressure on the engines is decreased, and any water that washes in one side can go straight through and out the other side with little or no chance of it making it's way into the engines. It's a very simple and reliable system.

[@seawench555]

Obviously being built in 1967, which was an amazing yr for anything really, shows just how good the architecture of this boat is. Great vlog Stu, really informative and interesting, I could have stayed on this boat all day. So cool u know what questions to ask as well. Thanks mate🇦🇺😁⚓🌈👍hope chooks are well.

[@happypheetphotographyBYWILEY]

Great to watch this 44MLB video. I spent some time on USCG 44364 out of Neah Bay, Washington in the late 60's/early 70's during my time in the U.S. Coast Guard. They are an amazing boat. I have been in 40 foot seas and felt perfectly safe. Have rolled 90+ degrees and still felt totally safe. They are slow but steady and can always get you there and get you back. Thank you gentleman for sharing this video and giving such a great tour of such a great boat. Regards, Randy Wiley in Arizona, USA

[@stevebarker7688]

Was cox on 44 10 at Fowey in Cornwall. Good sea boat.

[@grahammartin5976]

Together with other members of Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol Botany Bay I worked on 44-003 from 1998 - 2011 when she lay in Botany Bay. I was also a coxswain for about 10 years. We replaced the genset which was originally a Petter Diesel. All the seats were replaced, we replaced over 200 deck rivets. The engine room was repainted with 5 coats of POR 15 rust proof paint. When we bought her from RNLI it was shipped to Australia by P&O Nedlloyd and was renamed Stratheden. I replaced the head (which was originally a bucket) with an electric toilet. I hope the holding is not still leaking! The widows were originally perspex and were replaced with glass and there were many other improvements made over the years including the electronics. I remember Bob B recalibrated the dip sticks from gallons to liters. The oil pressure was originally capillaries which were converted to VDO electric due to many oil leaks we used to have. I remember spending many hour polishing and lacquering the brass and copper in the engine room. Brings back very fond memories. I used to spend hours polishing the fairleads and we prouding attended the Sydney International Boat show for many years were many boating enthusiasts showed great interest in her. I have hundreds of photos of her.

[@markweiss6222]

This guy is a saint. Some very practical ideas

[@scharftalicous]

What a guy! Talk about a community asset, is great to hear that he gets support where others can afford it.

[@LTD-iv3ir]

He know's his stuff. I know more now from just listening to him. Thank's.

[@Ken-xm1rf]

Cool boat!

[@chrisnorman1183]

Know what I'm watching on my lunch break!

[@townsville69]

What a great old boat. So much awesome engineering.

[@michaelchamberlain4618]

It was nice to see the 44' . The USCG had them, with 6V53D in them.

[@ericridg7143]

The RNLI 44 is a British built copy of the USCG 44. Curtis bay built the original 44's and are to this day considered one of the most advanced designs in maritime rescue, although the 47 class has a much better survivability and comfort rating for the crew in event of capsizing the basic elements of the 44 remain

[@chunkyraccoon1829]

@@ericridg7143 the 47 definitely has better survivability, but because of the lightweight design it throws the crew around like rag dolls.

[@dongorsegner4607]

Stu, thanks for the great video. Spring has sprung here in the Pacific Northwest uncovered the boat and getting the spring maintenance done for the start of fishing season. I always enjoy seeing what you are up to in the land down under.

[@baztyrrell3569]

The Waveney Class lifeboats were built in my home town of Lowestoft at Brooke Marine.

[@nickframe6743]

That’s such an awesome boat - they really were built for purpose. Seeing it chugging towards you must be the best sight in the world when you’re the one being rescued. Thanks for sharing your tour.

[@peterhall6656]

Fantastic bloke and boat. The latest RNLI self-righting boats are incredible. The videos of their testing are sensational.

[@alexanderkupke920]

The only one matching up comming to my mind are the German DGzRS "Seenotrettungskreuzer". Even bigger boats and self rightening as well. They have videos out there somewhere of a test, in real life the situation must feel like taking a tour in a washing mashine at high speed.

[@robweymouth9044]

One of my favourite parts of your videos is watching the captions try to make sense of “hey there Dangar Stu here”. It’s never correct, and it’s fantastic! Thank you for your videos!

[@BushPigADV]

Wonderful video. I was lucky enough to have served on the US Coast Guard version of this boat (44365). Tuff boat, super tuff

[@DangarMarine]

I was very impressed with it.

[@BushPigADV]

@@DangarMarine Ours had Detroit 6V53s in it. It would push 14 knots and tow anything. I'm really glad you got to see this and make this video

[@christianherald]

I like this boat.

[@annmaulder4106]

Great video, New Zealand Coastguard imported 5, 44 footers from the RNLI in the late 90`s and early 2000`s used by various units here. 44-017, 019, 020, 021 and 022. Thanks for your great videos, Ray.

[@rogerbayzand4455]

Wonderful to see the old girl still being well maintained and in use, the old crew would be very happy to see that, we get rather attached to our vessels. Cheers Roger, Ex RNLI Lymington Lifeboat.

[@InArcadiaSum]

We have four RNLI stations between Gorleston and Aldeburgh to the south, which is probably about a 50 mile stretch along the coastline. Until it merged with its neighbour, Suffolk Coastal, the District Council here was Waveney. Brooke Marine in Lowestoft, alas now closed and built over, was a builder of lifeboats and other vessels, especially fishing.

[@themediaman100]

Yes, the early boats, including this one, were built by Brooke Marine in Lowestoft. I believe that during the war they also built the fast rescue boats for the navy. It's sad that Brooke Marine and most of the fishing industry in Lowestoft have gone, it was a hive of industry when I was a young boy.

[@lazarustenebrae]

Sorry to hear that you were sick. Glad that you've fully recovered by now. Take care.

[@krissfemmpaws1029]

That lifeboat looks very much like the older USCG 44 foot surf boats. It wouldn't surprise me if the hulls were the same. I was a little surprised to see the 3208 Cats and not the 6-71 Detroits that many of the USCG 44 footers had installed originally. Thanks for taking us on the tour with you Stu. That was enjoyable to watch.

[@tomcarpenter6744]

The hulls are indeed the same. The RNLI acquired 44-001 from the USCG in the early 60's and liked the design so much, they got the plans, and built 21 more. After trying out several different engines, the RNLI settled on 3208 Cats, and updated all of their boats. The final 5 built had 3208T engines.

[@simontyrrell8866]

Thanks for another great video Stu. Rowlie is an utter legend. Here in the UK we have something called the RNLI, I can't understand why every maritime nation doesn't have the same.

[@DCA001TUBE]

That boat was amazing and then he showed us the engine room, Unreal. Enough fuel to go to Bermagui and tow back, again Unreal. Thanks Stu, this was a great show.

[@DangarMarine]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DougsMessyGarage]

Very nice rescue boat. I'm sure there have been more than a few people happy to see it motor toward them from over the horizon.

[@marcobrian1619]

Living in UK, it's nice to see old RNLI crafts living and been this in service and also used for intended perpuse. I helped build and maintain a 14mtr dive vessel used in river Humber in UK, our skipper was a old school chap........ You just can't beat hands on experience and knowledge, rather than class room qualify skippers!

[@fishheds]

I ran USCG 44343 in the mid eighties. It was 6V53 powered. Now sitting behind the Marine Museum yard at Beaufort NC.

[@KS-on9qp]

Very impressive boat -- and quite an investment !

[@DangarMarine]

It is a great boat for sure.

[@APTW42]

What a top bloke- bloody hero

[@GLF-Video]

Get well soon. Thanks for another wonderful video.

[@dj33036]

I had covid back in December, I haven't been the same since. Good to see you're back on your feet.

[@Kurtdog63]

A true rescue boat not only has the ability to rescue other boats, they are also designed to rescue themselves. Thanks for tour. We carried the rescue "throw bags" in our ranger vehicles and patrol boat. We practiced throwing them slightly upwind and beyond the victim. Throws too short waste time and victim may submerge before you could make a second throw. Chickens doing better then their owner. Get well soon, Stu..

[@bengardiner1075]

What an amazing boat, and a truly awesome bloke too, brilliant that 👌

[@DangarMarine]

Agreed!

[@tommyhanlon8012]

Fascinating & Great to see thanks everyone especially The Skipper.

[@erichwoodall2897]

Feel better soon brother

[@DangarMarine]

Thanks mate, pretty much the mend now. 👍🏼

[@1bcordell]

I could listen to this old salt talk about his boat all day long. What a wealth of knowledge. Hope he gets to stay at sea until his last breath. Good going mate!

[@randynovick7972]

This was fascinating. Thank you, Stu!

[@mallow173]

Way cool! thanks for posting Stu!!

[@tonysargent1699]

Pretty cool tour Stu, thanks for sharing that.

[@michaelhill7471]

What a champion this gentleman is. Thanks for posting this vid, Stu.

[@dennisbailey4296]

Somehow I missed the connection with you being sick I hope that it hasn't been terrific and hopefully it wasn't that crazy Covid thing? Hopefully your on the mend!! And get well soon!! All the best from Surrey BC Canada 🇨🇦

[@johnkennedyiii3357]

Hope u feel better brother ! Had covid back last November, it messed up my smell, like Gasoline ... and the fact that my boats are all 2 stroke and I use to be able to judge how well they ran off of smell, sadly I can not tell anymore . ,,, I use to love the smell of two stoke motors on the water .

[@Lanxe]

Stu, that was a brilliant tour. Hats of to Rowlie and his volunteers. Also, hope you're on the mend.

[@GeneralSpades]

best vid yet .the tassie sailors and everyone else around there are very lucky to have a guy like him to call on .for you guys not in aus tassie is very cold and sometimes crazy seas and not for the faint hearted

[@AlisonFort]

Great fun - thanks Stu😀

[@sarkybugger5009]

I was shown around a current RNLI Severn class boat in Dover a few years ago. Incredible piece of kit. Two Caterpillar 1,200 hp turbo diesels, adjustable trim, 25kn+ and over 120 survivors capacity. Everything was absolutely spotless. A very tightly run ship. They've been very busy recently, with all the refugees crossing the channel in small boats. Saving lives, no questions asked. No bills.

[@tx5brent]

That boat is very well maintained. It looks amazing

[@terrydown5389]

Really enjoyed that vlogg and hope your feeling better thanks for sharing

[@sstem2169]

I've had Covid myself the last week or two. (for the second time) And yeah, it sux, but ain't the end of the world...... ;-( What a wonderful boat, and a wonderful gentleman/sailor/savior/angel!!! It would be an HONOR volunteer in his vessel!!! Thank you SO much for shooting this video, one of your very best!!! TEN thumbs up! :-D

[@finscreenname]

I would be one of those "I'm not leaving my boat" people unless my boat already left me. We need more like him.

[@colinmead8996]

Tough boat tough captain THX Stu

[@charlesxix]

Great video. I would be interested in this type of vid again, thanks.

[@martin_mue]

That was great. Thanks for sharing!

[@michaelcanto6175]

Fantastic Vessel!

[@Jack-tx2ve]

Awesome, I have always loved these boats. I almost bought one years ago. I wish I did.

[@tymeryder7264]

Amazing boat, passionate owner. Love the video

[@shirmworm]

SUPER INTERESTING VID! THANKS MATE!!!

[@rgj5832]

That's one amazing vessel thank you for sharing!

[@digitalta]

Very interesting, thanks for this video!

[@davidmurn772]

Really interesting video.. my rescue unit used to own 44-014, which was sold 5 years before I joined, so it was fascinating to see the class of vessel that my colleagues used to operate

[@easemailboxes]

Fascinating, thanks.

[@tonygordon3127]

Get well soon!

[@chriswhatmough5348]

Hi Stu. The first 0 in her number also denotes she has a steel hull.. I was RNLI crew on D class inflatable, Mersey class and Tyne class. Great boats

[@youmanskids]

that's a cool little boat!

[@elstevobevo]

A very Stu type of boat to review.

[@bobjoncas2814]

good vid, nice tour, keep safe..

[@Antipodean33]

Yeah I too finally succumb to the lurgy this last week, caught it off the missus

[@dtpprojects]

GREAT VIDEO!! AWESOME BOAT

[@Graham19951]

Many years ago , we had a 44 as a relief boat for our 52 Arun class lifeboat. I see that one had 3208 Cats, but our relief boat had 120 fords. Anyway the Cat engineers used to do a full ahead to full astern test without touching the throttles and the Cats could take it. My mate was driving the 44 and someone said do an emergency stop, so he did the same. There was a horrible scream from the engine room, and that was the end of the Fords. I was told the RNLI engineers had to gas axe the flywheels off because they were friction welded to the Crank. O Dear, we diddnt like the thing any way. Send us a proper one. Happy days.

[@SleepyWombat9696]

Pity you didn't get to look on the old maritime ship moored out there near middle Island. It think its supposed to be a sister ship to the former royal yacht......and having seen it from the outside so much it would be cool to see inside.

[@conawayjb]

Amazing vessel !

[@crowman5936]

Cool boat.

[@wildwestcoast8095]

Wow there is a lot packed into the vessel she is a beauty

[@martin_mue]

What would have been interesting, with people so worried about electrolysis, is how they managed the isolation between steel and aluminium and how it fared over this boats long life.

[@krissfemmpaws1029]

With the old USCG 44 foot surf boats that look to be the same design they put a rubber gasket between the steel and aluminum and bolt them together.

[@tomcarpenter6744]

The lay up between the steel hull and aluminum deck is a 6 part sandwich of various Bostik products and some fiber layers. Gryphon was the last Waveney built in 82 and to this date there is ZERO corrosion between the metals. Pretty impressive build over all!

[@grahammartin5976]

The deck was held on with huck bolts. Many heads fell off due to corrosion between the head of the huck bolt and the deck. I replaced about 200 with 10mm rivets. There was a layer of material between the deck and the steel

[@kennethjackson7574]

The 44’ MLB at US Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay had it’s stern turtle (nickname for the aft survivors cabin) crushed by a wave from astern. It was rebuilt with strips of Detacouple, explosively bonded steel and aluminum between the hull and turtle. Coast Guard 378’ High Endurance Cutters also used Detacouple between the steel hull and aluminum superstructure with no problem. I don’t know of any other 44’ ever repaired with Detacouple.

[@kennethjackson7574]

The 44’ MLB at US Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay had it’s stern turtle (nickname for the aft survivors cabin) crushed by a wave from astern. It was rebuilt with strips of Detacouple, explosively bonded steel and aluminum between the hull and turtle. Coast Guard 378’ High Endurance Cutters also used Detacouple between the steel hull and aluminum superstructure with no problem. I don’t know of any other 44’ ever repaired with Detacouple.

[@MrJeep75]

Great boats

[@makeitwork583]

Hey Stu, what a cool boat, eh? Feel better soon. Be well.

[@MeaHeaR]

what a Wonderful Gentlé-Mánn

[@DangarMarine]

He was a great guy to meet. :)

[@MeaHeaR]

@@DangarMarine yes very interesting You may have to do a follow up 😆😆👍🏿

[@bobuncle8704]

I think I’ve just found my dream boat. 😍

[@sanitymaintenance1585]

That was a throw bag and they work very well for getting some one out of the water . Much better than a life ring

[@gregbolitho9775]

Rippa bloke that. Unused to Tassie Speak, had to figure out, "used it in anger" . Thankyou Moty Python for Spam, Spam, Spam Song. Theres not enough of these dedicated blokes Downunda or anywhere. Nice 1 m8, thanks for that. You and yours stay safe an well say G'day to Daffy, Eddy and the crew!

[@davidhudson5452]

Take care

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Amazing thanks mate.....Shoe🇺🇸

[@chrisandwillhobbies]

what a rig

[@AM-ni3sz]

Great

[@PittwaterMowing]

Thanks for the tour PS this rain here is driving me crazy haha