|
|
 |
RNLB Dorothy &
Philip Constant. 1963 - 1981 |
||
 |
||||
| The Dorothy and
Philip Constant, which was exhibited at the Earls Court
Boat Show in January, 1963, arrived at her station on the
17th January, 1963. She was provided by a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Philip Constant of Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, and was named by H.R.H. Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, President of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution; on 18th July, 1963. She was a cabin motor lifeboat, 42 feet long with a beam of 12 feet and a draught of 3 feet 8 inches. On service, with crew and gear on board, she weighed 16.5 tons. The boat was divided into 10 watertight compartments that were fitted with 181 buoyancy blocks. She had twin 55 h.p. Gardner diesel engines fitted in the engine room that was one of the watertight compartments. A double bottom was constructed below the lower deck of the engine room. Her speed was just over 8 knots and she carried enough fuel to be able to travel 202 miles at full speed without refuelling. All engine maneuvering and operating controls could be worked from the steering shelter and no member of the crew was required in the engine room while the boat was under way. She carried a crew of eight and could take the weight of seventy people on board. There was a survivors cabin forward of the engine room. The boat was fitted with radio telephony and a loud hailer and had an oil spray to smooth the water round the casualty. She carried a line-throwing rocket pistol, an electric searchlight and a day and night signaling lamp. The electrical installation included vhf radio for direct communication with search aircraft, and fans to ventilate the cabin and engine-room. During her 18 years at Shoreham this boat saw many services, including the famous Athina B disaster. "The Dorothy" is now a training vessel having been re-named "Constance of Blakeney". She can be found here. |
||||