How an RNLI lifeboat self-rights during storm conditions

In February 2020, Storm Ciara made headlines around the UK and Ireland as one of the most ferocious weather systems that winter.
When the call came in to rescue a surfer in trouble in the water, Hastings Lifeboat sprang into action. Once it was determined the surfer had safely made it ashore with the Coastguard, the six volunteers crew members attempted to beach their Shannon class lifeboat, as they would on a normal day. But the raging conditions meant they had to abort their attempt and turn to berth at a nearby station instead.
The extraordinary footage of the recovery from that beaching attempt can be seen at 0:13, and inspired this video to explain how the RNLI's naval architects designed the Shannon class to withstand some of the worst conditions at sea and keep our lifesavers safe.
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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland are ready to launch to help those in need. Whether you're stuck on a sinking ship, cut off by a rapidly rising tide, or in the water and close to drowning, RNLI crew members will drop everything to come to your rescue. 95% of RNLI lifeboat crews and station staff are volunteers.
But it’s not just lifeboats. RNLI lifeguards patrol 248 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands, keeping people safe, providing safety advice and rescuing those in trouble. Education volunteers visit schools and swimming clubs to help teach the next generation how to enjoy the water safely. And volunteer fundraisers and shop workers give up their time to generate vital funds. The RNLI is also working to help communities around the world that are most at risk of drowning.
If you spot someone in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
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Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney

[@MajPickles]

Even heroes need heroes and those heroes are the RNLI!

[@rnli]

Wow, thank you so much Pickles 💛

[@animalbird9436]

All i can say is wow .what a boat and THANK YOU ❤❤❤❤

[@herbmarsh8519]

Mate, that was awesome, cheers from Australia.

[@rolandbellamy2837]

may God bless the lifeboat crews throughout the world

[@amberamell3834]

Such an amazing invention. Great work all those who contributed and use this technology to save people!

[@rnli]

Well said Amber! 🙂

[@billkingston4402]

Great work, design and engineering fit perfectly

[@VintageTamiya]

All RNLI guy’s, and gals are awesome. God bless you all, and keep you safe.

[@gavg89iiuktvii35]

Thank you For Your Service God Bless You 🙏🏻🇬🇧🙏🏻

[@captainfantastic16]

Amazing job you all do. Don’t understand why anyone would dislike this video?

[@gaycha6589]

Mal de mer

[@VidarrKerr]

Because they don't even show the boat roll. Even that clip at the beginning didn't show much. Fail.

[@captainfantastic16]

The video was to explain how it does it not video of it doing it. I’m sure you wouldn’t care if you were being rescued by these brave volunteers.

[@BugattiONE666]

Because all people think the RNLI does is help migrants into the country, which is not only false but fuxking stupid

[@thfi5294]

Flat out brilliant design.

[@combatcoby1661]

Great to see all these safety measures put in place to keep all the uk public safe thanks guys and keep up the great work

[@TheByard]

Plus any other nationality that need help in UK waters.

[@icesurf1761]

Want to buy one just to drive around during a hurricane 🌀.

[@Cobwobbler]

I've seen an old one for sale for £10,000... Google it. Worth every penny

[@VidarrKerr]

Yes. Now were talking. Sign me up.

[@kingpin7610]

If I have one I'll make my little house boat to travel even hurricane will not bother me 😆🤢🤮😂

[@harrypenn611]

You guys are beyond amazing

[@sebastianobeltrami8742]

Semplicemente fantastica. Io amo questa rescue boat

[@redpsycho90]

When seeing the onboard camera it looks more like they designed a rescue-rollercoaster in stead of a rescue-boat. Nice job keeping your crew safer in those extreem conditions

[@drazmirahmat6593]

thank you to you

[@andyhemus2964]

One of my best jobs was working with the RNLI on the FCB2/Shannon project. Part of the team that did the comms system.

[@rnli]

That's wonderful to hear Andy.

[@CaptChaos1964]

I watched the episode with the Hastings lifeboat last week, the bravery of the crew was extraordinary, it’s the most dramatic thing I can remember seeing on tv, I’ll keep my opinion to myself regarding the individual who created the shout in the first place, I can’t help thinking this could have been a terrible tragedy for the RNLI.

[@rnli]

We're glad you enjoyed the episode, Robert - the footage captured is truly mind-blowing and perfectly illustrates the lengths our crews will go to to keep people safe. Just to let you know that episode 9 of the current series is back on Thursday 7 January - hope to see you there 😉

[@secretfacekid8920]

Well done lads.

[@davidg5369]

That's super cool! Be safe!

[@F10Colin]

Awesome Work guys, so proud of you

[@FranktheDachshund]

What an absolute beast.

[@protonneutron9046]

wow, amazing boat and crew

[@rnli]

Thank you 💙

[@TheGwylan]

~ Thank 😊 You ~

[@terrystephens1102]

Brilliant marine design and engineering - thanks for the extra insights on the design features.👍👏👏👏👏❤️

[@rnli]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Jim-fe2xz]

Great accomplishment! There's a story about a guy named Noah that built a self righting boat too.

[@benfairbairn1505]

I’ve always wanted to be a lifeguard. Thank you for this

[@rnli]

We're glad you enjoyed the film! While we aren't recruiting right now, you can register your interest and find out more about becoming a lifeguard here: bit.ly/3kiwvbh

[@studay1007]

Great boat

[@travelledfar]

Just give a thought to the guys inside that Hastings boat. The deepest respect, they are true heroes. people of the brassiest brass big b##ls!!! 👍👍

[@rnli]

Great memories!

[@JamesHurd]

@@rnli Great to see some of the effort that goes into these boats.. how things have changed since my great great grand father was out on the Eastbourne life boat 1902.. When 8 members of my family maned one life boat the James Stevens No. 6....

[@ptimlick]

Way to go RNLI

[@Medionxtr]

01.12.1981 the lifeboat danish RF-2 capsized. All 6 crew members did not make it. RF-2 was also designed to recover after a cap size. But it did not. The lifeboat was found in the morning grounded 8 km down the coast. Still after so many years so sad....

[@N330AA]

Very good people

[@johncassels3475]

Great video - how about a longer video about your specialist engineering and design? Thanks.

[@rnli]

Thanks for the idea!

[@DawidKellerman]

I am a computer engineering guy would love to hear a more in depth on the systems water breather pendulum is the coolest :)

[@VidarrKerr]

Yeah, this was like watching a video about how airplanes fly and they just show some close-up shots of some wings.

[@trevormann8221]

Brilliant

[@dedsert9653]

very grateful to the volunteers, lifeboat crews, and lifeguards. disgusted with the execs.

[@mervscot]

Great video, stay safe

[@rnli]

Thank you Mervyn!

[@florescarrierstransportllc7846]

Podrían traducir a español este video?

[@rnli]

Hola, we unfortunately aren't able to provide international translations of our videos but KZbin does have an auto-subtitle and translate function built into it.

[@plummetplum]

Has to be the safest boat on the ocean, I would be happy in it in any weather bar being near rocks with engine failure.

[@cycleSCUBA]

RNLI Clifden will soon be getting their fantastic new Shannon class. The Launch a Memory idea is on the boat too.

[@finbloxtv3341]

I went to Poole on Tuesday and saw a Lifeguard training. Unfortunately, the shop was closed and I wasnt able to donate. I've been for a tour in the RNLI College and seen the training pool and bits and I would recommend for any lifesaving fans who is hoping to be staff in the RNLI.

[@doca8792]

That’s bad ass man!

[@mvcharisma2968]

I’d love to know more about some of the technicals like maintaining fuel delivery, oil pressure etc. when inverted and how they are prevented from spilling all over the bilge

[@rnli]

Hi Alex, great questions! In the event of a capsize, a signal is sent to the engines which returns them to low idle and also clutches out the gearboxes, which in turn stops the waterjets. In addition to this the air vents are closed to prevent water ingress. After the event the helmsman must bring the throttles back to the idle position and press the capsize cancel button in order to regain control. Because of the self-righting design of the Shannon the duration that the vessel is inverted is very short. This means the fuel and engine oil systems do not require any specific protection. The engine is sealed so there is no risk of engine oil escaping, and the short roll period means that the oil present in the system is sufficient to sustain the engine for that amount of time. The fuel system vent has a valve which is actuated during a capsize to ensure the fuel does not escape overboard. Any gaps in fuel supply to the engines are so short that they amount to no more than a short period of rough idling when the engine is righted. The fact that the engine is left idling provides enough pressure to prevent ingress of water through the exhaust system. During the design phase of the Shannon the Scania engines were fully inverted whilst running to ensure they would still function once righted. We hope that helps 😊

[@Dornacgove]

@@rnli I've been wondering for a while how do those boats prevent water ingress into the air intake not only while capsized (that was explained here and thank you for that!), but generally in rough seas when the water goes overboard and everywhere.

[@mvcharisma2968]

RNLI that’s brilliant thank you for the details! I always knew they were engineered to handle such events, I love hearing about how the details all work together. Thanks for the info, and the dedication you all have to keeping the mariners safe! Cheers from the States

[@rnli]

Hi Adam, the air intakes like the one you see in this video are behind covered panels that allow in air but not water. If you head to the following website where you can take a tour of the Shannon class, and click on the stern position, you can see one of these panels/vents to the left of the wheelhouse door. Sorry we can't add a photo on KZbin! bit.ly/2Y9zbOS

[@rnli]

No problem Alex - we're always happy to answer any questions you may have 😊 Thanks for your support from "across the pond"!

[@seankilburn7200]

great video as always. would like to se e a full tour of the Shannon's interior if possible

[@rnli]

You're in luck Sean! You can take a virtual tour around a Shannon class lifeboat here: bit.ly/33s7Tqu

[@seankilburn7200]

@@rnli cheers for that

[@mikeemery3937]

I need to do this, I need to volunteer

[@rnli]

Next step is finding your nearest lifeboat station and reaching out to see how you can get involved 😉 bit.ly/3keoIuL

[@bravofoxable]

This would make an interesting video with more detail. Amazing technology

[@rnli]

Thank you 🧡

[@0624cancer]

Impressive

[@rnli]

Thanks, Anthony 💙

[@jesseperez7942]

Imagine converting one into a home!

[@turboconqueringmegaeagle9006]

Excellent little video, thanks. What if the wheelhouse door is open during the capsize?

[@rnli]

The wheelhouse door remains shut at sea for safety purposes, particularly in rough seas. If it was open during a capsize or knockdown, water entering the wheelhouse could potentially allow it to fill with water and prevent self-righting, although there are other doors throughout the vessel that remain shut at sea to aid buoyancy and self-righting capabilities.

[@Al8minium]

Do the boats have any form of stabilization such as active fins or gyro?

[@Al8minium]

@PhreshFunk I'll watch it again, without being disturbed this time.

[@IslaVision3]

👏👏👏🤘😘

[@MrKakuaa]

Volunteers !! 🥶🥶🥶😱😱 They must have the “ T “ to hold the balls also ( I mean golf balls ).

[@esgee3829]

I'm considering buying one of these for Boris to self-right Brittan. Do you think I should buy one or more?

[@JackRoadkill]

What's Brittan?

[@gaycha6589]

@@JackRoadkill some fantasy conspiracy Narnia type place in the OPs mind only?

[@licentiousdreams]

It'll just sink itself once again, and again, and again. Finally once you return it to glory after 6 tries you will be standing proud alongside Britain with pride as you should be! Then it'll sink again, like it always does. Cheers!

[@Alex-do9jm]

What's the worst conditions the shannon has encountered yet? the boat can operate safely in huge breaking surf? What are the chances of a boat like this to sink?

[@rnli]

Hi Alex - the Shannon is specifically designed to operate in the UK/s most challenging seas and is designed to be inherently self-righting. You can find out all about its specifications - and watch videos - here: bit.ly/3is0efx

[@patnolan320]

I see Arklow has the new Shannon class .

[@rnli]

Arklow Lifeboat Station has a Trent class lifeboat, named Ger Tigchelaar. The Trent is the closest in size to a Shannon class, as it is only ~70cm longer 😊

[@patnolan320]

@@rnli Sorry was staying in Arklow but had travelled up to Wicklow town for the day my mistake in saying Arklow . Thanks

[@harrytabiner]

Would the RNLI ever consider using the sea legs as a boat?

[@dieuduong6127]

We can buy this

[@hubby-tubadventures01]

RNLI, do you have interior footage of the Hastings incident? I'd be interested to see it. The wife and I were present during this and could not believe what we were seeing. Incredible and scary to watch just a couple of hundred feet away. Had the privilege of your services during a Thames estuary squall. Most grateful and regular contributor. Excellent work.

[@rnli]

Unfortunaetly none that we've seen in the social media team! But we were very lucky that a bystander managed to capture even the short clip in this video. Thank you so much for your continued support 😊

[@hubby-tubadventures01]

@@rnli We managed to get some footage of it too. As I say, incredible thing to watch. Rest assured the support will continue.

[@jimmydcricket5893]

Is the stubbie holder in a 360° rotational gimbal?.

[@rnli]

😆

[@willenlivesly4572]

takes a sip of coffee* boat self-righting: crew: aww man that was my last cup

[@chipking2765]

Do you test the lifeboats at high speed when they capsise

[@lordbelvoir2543]

And that would make what difference to a self righting boat???

[@chipking2765]

Lord Belvoir Equipment reliability strength and what damage would it cause

[@lordbelvoir2543]

@@chipking2765 listen mate there's nowt wrong with our life boats as most of the design ideas come from our brave crew

[@chipking2765]

Lord Belvoir And what do you exactly do on the lifeboat Hopefully you’re not stolen valour

[@chipking2765]

Lord Belvoir where does the dragger go on the lifeboat

[@Catcrumbs]

Why hardsubs?

[@Tonys_Podium]

Are hatches supposed to open in or out when designing a boat?

[@rnli]

There is no set standard for the direction doors and hatches open, however considerations would include: the direction of an escape route, where they would tend to open in the direction of an exit; or a particular arrangement or hazard within a space that would favour a door or hatch opening in a certain direction. Either way, our doors and hatches are watertight, meaning they will withstand the pressure of water from either side.

[@Tonys_Podium]

@@rnli if a boat was capsized would it be difficult to open a door outwards because of water pressure?

[@rnli]

Our all-weather lifeboats (the only ones with doors and hatches) are all self-righting, so that eventually would never arise 👍

[@WhiskeyGulf71]

Apart from going to idle what other measures are in place to protect the engines with regards to oil starvation ?

[@Pegasus202]

I think they actually shutdown and run dry sumps. They have to be reset from the helm if they are inverted, which restarts them.

[@sky33liner]

There's a reply further up this thread that explains that a Shannon comes back to the upright position so quickly that it won't suffer oil starvation.

[@Sctch_Egg]

Scania engines have an overheat and oil pressure loss protection, in the event of either overheating or loss of oil pressure they shut down.

[@carpenterfamily6198]

The RNLI donation page does seem to work from the USA. It doesn’t seem to think our credit card numbers are valid.

[@rnli]

Hi there, thanks so much for trying to donate. Are you able to use PayPal?

[@carpenterfamily6198]

RNLI - Hi Ty for the reply. No, I don’t use PayPal. But I’ll visit your site again and see what I can do.

[@carpenterfamily6198]

I used the ‘ contact is ‘ function on the web page ~ let’s see what they say. 👍

[@carpenterfamily6198]

FYI ~ I used a different credit card and was able to make a donation. 👍 You may be wondering why someone from the US is supporting lifeboats ‘ across the pond. ‘ The reason is my friend lives in Ireland and often does long distance swimming and surfing ~ she says the local volunteer lifeboats provide a wonderful and important service to their communities. I’d like to think she and others enjoying the water are a little safer with the RNLI.

[@rnli]

Thank you. We are lucky to have many international supporters, probably often for similar reasons to yours. Thanks so much for your support.

[@feathershed]

Great subject. More engineering.

[@zainabnaqvi6026]

Wow but were are the engines 🚤🚤🚤

[@outdoorsy01]

Why aren't all boats designed this way

[@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi]

Should just build the boat inside a cylinder, ie if the shell rolls the inside stays upright lol

[@furyxvanity2946]

Id shit myself if I was in that boat and it was basically upside down in that storm

[@Madmax0620]

if a capsize is detected then the engines will stop running and the radar aswell ..... huh ?

[@ToxiDJ]

Engines won`t stop, just throttled back to idle automatically, and the radar will stop spinning / disengage the motor turning the radar to stop the ocean destroying the radar itself, and the motor and gears that spin it around 👍

[@SeifEddineB]

I wonder how much this boat would cost?

[@JohnGTynan]

43' Shannon : £2.1m launching trolley £1.6m Total £3.7m 60' French SNSM NG AWB £1.2m ... Same engines in both. Brilliantly courageous crews in both.

[@SeifEddineB]

@@JohnGTynan thanks ! Yeah volunteers, no amount of money will cover the risk they are taking during this job.

[@johndean4998]

What happens to UK lifeboats at the end of their lives?

[@rnli]

Ex-RNLI lifeboats have a range of roles after they leave our service. Some go to search and rescue organisations in other countries, while others are in private ownership and converted for different uses.

[@johndean4998]

@@rnli Thanks.

[@tmazer99505]

:32 I wouldn't call that a good test the crane started tipping it in the opposite direction before it dropped it

[@sekai_gaming]

I thought that was the whole boat not the life boat

[@mobenterprise9489]

This is the perfect boat to visit Mexico men ...bad weather only...get me some coal...lola

[@johnarizona3820]

^5

[@jamesday7344]

Needs a 249 mounted on the bow... self right some rounds down range

[@robs4988]

Strange isn't it how there are few, if any, female volunteers.

[@rnli]

Hi Rob, we currently have over 300 female crew members, as well as hundreds more volunteers who fundraise, volunteer in shops or work as shore crew.

[@exbcn]

absolutely butchered the Ciara pronounciation

[@marmeemarch7080]

And I for one am here for it!

[@bigearedmouse17]

The Chief Executive of the RNLI is paid £160,000 a year wages ? I will NOT be donating anymore money to this organisation.

[@rnli]

As Chief Executive of a large and unique charity and 24/7 emergency service that covers the UK and Republic of Ireland, he is responsible for tens of thousands of volunteers, lifeguards, fundraisers and others dedicated to saving lives at sea in a highly professional, technologically advanced and often risky environment, and is paid accordingly. He also volunteered to take a 50% pay cut when the pandemic began.

[@bigearedmouse17]

@@rnli Appreciate the reply However, The size of his wage has angered the public so much that they have stopped giving to the RNLI so the cost to the RNLI is way more than the Eye Watering £160,000 he is paid.

[@rnli]

We need skilled, full-time staff at all levels in order to maintain our 24/7 search and rescue service, alongside all the other work we do, from boat building to lifeguarding, and our chief executive is no different. We've got thousands of loyal supporters and we couldn't save lives without them.

[@JohnGTynan]

@@rnli I first starting to compare the French SNSM with the RNLI over 10 years ago. At that time the RNLI had more people earning over £50k per year than the total number of employees in France (most of whom were mechanics) . The French chief executive is a volunteer. The entire administrative structure is manned by volunteers. The French operating budget is about 1/10th to 1/8th that of the RNLI where the global rescue numbers are in the same ball-park. The amount directly spent on boats is around 10% of income and about the same amount as the pension contributions. Bringing the design and construction of the boats in-house is a business nonsense which has led to boats costing twice what they ought to. It also means that the organization is strapped by very high fixed costs which make the organization vulnerable in the event of an economic down-turn. But that would never happen ... would it? No criticism of the very brave volunteers who man the boats. They are the true heroes.

[@JimbosFarm1]

You should do a video about how you guys help taxi in illegal immigrants , with the border farce

[@CymruEmergencyResponder]

They can’t do a video on that, because they don’t taxi anyone. They save lives at sea without judgement, and have made a video about that.

[@SUCHROXWELL]

You should do a video about how you have failed to ever successfully sexually satisfy another person and how you, as a result, have transferred your feelings of deep inadequacy into a pathological need for attention from others via the medium of ignorant KZbin comments.

[@marmeemarch7080]

What's farcical is the bishops in the House of Lords criticizing the plan to sort out the refugees from the just plain illegals in a decent space in Rwanda.

[@jimmcintosh9045]

I commented on RNLI bringing illegal immigrants ashore but comment has vanished.!