# Atlantic 21-class lifeboat

The Atlantic 21 Inshore lifeboat was the first 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 1972 and 2008.
The Inshore boat was designed at Atlantic College in South Wales, the birthplace of the RIB, after which the craft is named. The college was also one of nine locations where the RNLI first established lifeboat stations using smaller inshore watercraft. Atlantic College Lifeboat Station was operated by the RNLI between 1963 and 2013.
The development of the Atlantic 21 resulted in the larger Atlantic 75-class, with production beginning in 1993. The Atlantic 75 gradually replaced the Atlantic 21, with the majority of the ninety-six Atlantic 21 lifeboats retired from service by 2006. Just a handful remained on service into 2007 and 2008, with the last two Atlantic 21 lifeboats, at Enniskillen Lifeboat Station (Upper and Lower), both withdrawn from operational duties on 26 February 2008.

## Description

The Atlantic 21 can be launched from a davit, carriage or floating boathouse depending on the location of the station and the available facilities.
The lifeboat is a rigid inflatable boat (RIB), with the hull constructed of Fibre-reinforced plastic, subdivided into water-tight compartments, and manufactured at Halmatic Ltd. of Havant. The boats are then fitted out at the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Centre in at East Cowes, Isle of Wight. A roll-bar is fitted above the engines, which carries an inflatable air-bag for self-righting, which can be inflated by a crew-member from a gas bottle should the boat capsize.
The boat carries a variety of equipment which includes two VHF radios, first aid kit and oxygen, GPS navigation system, night vision equipment, self-righting system, anchor and various warps, toolkit, towing system, illuminating and distress pyrotechnics, spotlight, torches.

## Atlantic 21 Fleet

| Op.No. | Name | In Service | Station | Comments |
| B-500 | Unnamed | 1970 1970 1970 1972 1972 1972–1973 1973 1973–1977 | Hartlepool Mudeford Lyme Regis Littlehampton Largs Appledore Littlehampton Relief fleet | First Atlantic 21 (Prototype), trialled at various locations. Now on display at the RNLI Heritage Collection, Chatham Historic Dockyard |
| B-501 | Unnamed | 1970–1973 1973 1973–1977 | Relief fleet Lyme Regis Relief fleet | |
| B-502 | Unnamed | 1970–1972 | Trials | |
| B-503 | Unnamed | 1972–1975 1975–1981 | Hartlepool Relief fleet | |
| B-504 | Blue Peter I | 1972–1973 | Littlehampton | |
| B-505 | Major Osman Gabriel | 1972–1975 1975–1979 1979–1980 1980–1981 | Queensferry Relief fleet Silloth Atlantic College | |
| B-506 | Unnamed | 1972–1976 1976–1978 1978 1978–1981 | West Mersea Relief fleet Staithes and Runswick Relief fleet | |
| B-507 | Unnamed | | | 1972. Built for KNRM. Named Griende. In service until 2005 |
| B-508 | Unnamed | 1973–1980 | Atlantic College | |
| B-509 | Unnamed | 1973–1981 1981–1985 | New Brighton Relief fleet | |
| B-510 | Unnamed | | | 1973. Built for KNRM. Named Tuimelaar. |
| B-511 | Co-Operative No.1 | 1973 1975–1979 1981–1982 1982 1982–1985 1985–1989 1989–1997 | Largs Hayling Island Newbiggin Hunstanton Relief fleet Clacton-on-Sea Relief fleet | |
| B-512 | U.S.Navy League | 1973–1980 1980–1990 1990–1992 1992–1994 1994–1995 1995–1997 1997–1998 1998 1998–1999 1999–2001 2001–2009 | Lyme Regis Relief fleet Walmer Relief fleet Bundoran Relief fleet Weymouth Clifden Relief fleet Sligo Bay Publicity fleet | Damaged by vandals and scrapped |
| B-513 | William McCunn and Broom Church Youth Fellowship | 1973–1980 1980–1988 1988–1990 1990–1997 | Largs Relief fleet Bangor Relief fleet | |
| B-514 | Guide Friendship 1 | 1974–1983 1983–1984 1984–1985 1986 1986–1991 1991–1992 1992–2000 | Aberdovey Relief fleet Clacton-on-Sea Redcar Relief fleet Cullercoats Relief fleet | Now with ICE-SAR |
| B-515 | Blue Peter II V E Webber | 1976–1985 1985–1992 1992–1993 1993–1994 1994–1996 1996 1996–2000 | Beaumaris Relief fleet Port Erin Flamborough Relief fleet Penarth Relief fleet | Now with ICE-SAR |
| B-516 | Whitstable Branch | 1974–1983 1983–1990 | Whitstable Relief fleet | |
| B-517 | Blue Peter I | 1973–1974 | Littlehampton | |
| B-518 | Sole Bay | 1973–1985 1985–1987 1987–1988 1988–1990 | Southwold Relief fleet Falmouth Relief fleet | Now privately owned at St Helens, Isle of Wight |
| B-519 | Surrey Forester | 1973–1986 1986–1990 | Lymington Relief fleet | |
| B-520 | Wildenrath Whizzer | 1974–1986 1986–1990 1990–1993 1993–2005 | Appledore Redcar Relief fleet Publicity fleet | |
| B-521 | Mary Livingstone | 1975–1981 1981–1984 1984 1984–1994 | Queensferry Relief fleet Ramsgate Relief fleet | |
| B-522 | Unnamed | | | 1974. Built for KNRM. Named Dolfijn. |
| B-523 | Blue Peter I Unnamed | 1974–1985 1985–1988 1988 1988–1995 1995–1998 | Littlehampton Relief fleet Kirkcudbright Relief fleet Inshore Lifeboat Centre | Now named Bay Mermaid I with Cardiff Harbour Authority |
| B-524 | Unnamed | | | 1974. Built for KNRM |
| B-525 | Unnamed Spix's Macaw | 1974–1975 1975 1975–1979 1979–1980 1980–1988 1988–1991 1991–1993 1993 1993–1998 1998 1998–1999 1999 1999–2001 2001 2001–2002 2002–2004 | Relief fleet Blackpool Relief fleet Hayling Island Relief fleet Kirkcudbright Relief fleet Kilkeel Relief fleet Weymouth Relief fleet Sligo Bay Relief fleet Sligo Bay Relief fleet Enniskillin (Upper) | |
| B-526 | Unnamed In 2010 Re-Named LSV 001 | 1974–1978 1978–1987 1987–1995 1995 1997–1998 1998–2002 2002–2009 | Relief fleet Harwich Relief fleet Hayling Island Clacton-on-Sea Relief fleet Training fleet | LifeSaving Victoria, AU, VMR900 Mornington & Hastings, AU. 2010 - Transferred to Lifesaving Victoria (Melbourne, Australia) 2013 - Operated by VMR Mornington & Hastings - Volunteer Marine Rescue Inc - (Mornington, Australia) |
| B-527 | Percy Garon (Civil Service) | 1976–1986 1986–1996 1996 1996–1998 1998 | Southend-on-Sea Relief fleet Red Bay Relief fleet Arran (Lamlash) | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-528 | Unnamed | 1975–1976 1976–1978 1978–1982 1982 1982–1998 1998 1998–2000 | Relief fleet Blackpool Relief fleet Hunstanton Relief fleet Helvick Head Relief fleet | |
| B-529 | Alexander Duckham | 1976–1987 1988–1990 1991–1993 1993–2000 | West Mersea Mudeford Falmouth Relief fleet | |
| B-530 | Himley Hall | 1975–1981 1981–1985 1985–1989 1989–1993 | Eastney Relief fleet Macduff Relief fleet | |
| B-531 | Foresters | 1975–1988 1988–1993 1993–1994 1994–1995 1995 1996 1996–1998 1998 1998–2001 2001 2001–2002 | Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Relief fleet Criccieth Relief fleet Lough Swilly Galway Relief fleet Clovelly Relief fleet Sligo Bay Relief fleet | 2002–2011 with Poole Harbour Commission 2011–present with Aegir Nautical |
| B-532 | Guide Friendship III | 1976–1986 1986–1998 | Hartlepool Relief fleet | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-533 | Unnamed | 1976–1988 1988–1990 1990–1991 1991–1992 1992–1993 1993–1995 1995 1995–1996 1996 1996–1998 | Littlestone-on-Sea Relief fleet Teignmouth Relief fleet Kilkeel Relief fleet Kinghorn Relief fleet Galway Relief fleet | |
| B-534 | Unnamed | | | 1975. Reported to have been sold to MOD |
| B-535 | R.A.O.B. Unnamed | 1975–1976 1976–1992 1992–1995 1995–1997 | Hartlepool Berwick-upon-Tweed Relief fleet Kyle of Lochalsh | 1997–2010 with Ballybunion Sea & Cliff Rescue as Clara T. 2011–present in private ownership in Szczecin, Poland named Aga B used for pleasure, training and safety boat (also cooperating with local volunteer rescue services) |
| B-536 | Unnamed | 1976–1989 1989–1992 1992–1994 1994–1997 1997 1997–1999 | Peel Relief fleet Sheringham Relief fleet Helvick Head Relief fleet | |
| B-537 | Unnamed | 1976–1978 1978–1979 1979–1983 1983–1984 1984–1986 1986–1988 1988–1999 | Relief fleet Blackpool Relief fleet Youghal Relief fleet St Abbs Relief fleet | |
| B-538 | Lord Brotherton | 1978–1989 1989–1990 1990 | Staithes and Runswick Relief fleet Teignmouth | |
| B-539 | Lions International District 105 SE | 1978–1989 1989–1990 1990–1991 1991–1994 1994 1994–1995 1995 1995–1998 | Brighton Relief fleet St Catherine Relief fleet Sheringham Relief fleet Newquay Relief fleet | |
| B-540 | Wolverhampton | 1978–1990 1990–1996 1996 1996–2000 | Abersoch Relief fleet Trearddur Bay Relief/Training fleet | Now with ICE-SAR |
| B-541 | Elizabeth Bestwick Unnamed | 1976–1988 1988–1991 1992–1993 1993–1994 1994–1995 1995–1996 1996–1997 | Relief fleet Falmouth Berwick-upon-Tweed Falmouth Hayling Island Weymouth Relief fleet | |
| B-542 | William Yeo | 1976–1987 1987–2003 | Relief fleet Inshore Lifeboat Centre | |
| B-543 | Round Table | 1978–1990 1990–1996 1996–1997 1997–1998 1998–1999 1999–2001 | Helensburgh Relief fleet Weymouth Skerries Clovelly Relief fleet | |
| B-544 | Catherine Plumbley | 1979–1994 1995 1995–1996 1996 1996–1998 | Minehead St Bees Relief fleet Weymouth Relief fleet | Now with ICE-SAR |
| B-545 | Amelia Gregory Armstrong | 1980–1995 1995–1998 | Silloth Relief fleet | |
| B-546 | Independent Forester Benevolence | 1980–1997 1997–1998 | Lyme Regis Relief fleet | Now in Portugal |
| B-547 | Independent Forester Liberty | 1980–1998 | Largs | Now named Káraborg (BB 7482) with ICE-SAR |
| B-548 | Aldershot | 1980–1994 1994–1995 1995–1996 1996 1996–1999 | Hayling Island Poole Relief fleet Rye Harbour Relief fleet | 1998–? ?–2015 2015–2016 2016–... Finnish Lifeboat Society Unknown Private owner Muhu Maritime Rescue Society Now with Muhu Maritime Rescue Society (Muhu, Saaremaa, Estonia) |
| B-549 | Blenwatch | 1981–1996 1996 1996–1997 1997–1998 1998–2001 2001–2003 | New Brighton Porthcawl Relief fleet Tighnabruaich Relief fleet Enniskillin (Lower) | Now with ICE-SAR |
| B-550 | "City of Portsmouth" | 1981–1996 1996–1998 | Portsmouth Relief fleet | 1998 - Sold to Finnish Lifeboat Society Now with Estonian Maritime Rescue Organization (Tallinna Vabatahtlik Merepääste/Tallinn SAR) |
| B-551 | Constance Macnay | 1981–1997 1997–1998 1998–1999 | Queensferry Relief fleet Clifden | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-552 | Unnamed | | | 1981. Built for KNRM. Named Bruinvis, at Ter Heyde, In service until 2006 |
| B-553 | Kirklees | 1982–1998 1998–1999 1999–2000 | Newbiggin Helvick Head Relief fleet | 2000–2013 named Dove with Sandown & Shanklin Inshore Lifeboat 2013– with Lagan Search and Rescue |
| B-554 | American Ambassador | 1982–2000 2000–2001 | Atlantic College Relief fleet | Now in Australia |
| B-555 | Long Life I | 1982–1985 1985 1986 1986–1993 1993 1993–1995 1995 1995–1996 1996 | Relief fleet Macduff Portaferry Relief fleet Falmouth Relief fleet St Bees Relief fleet Kilrush | |
| B-556 | Spirit of America | 1982–1998 1998–1999 | Hunstanton Relief fleet | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-557 | Weston Centenary | 1983–2001 | Weston-super-Mare | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-558 | Ramsgate Enterprise | 1984–2000 2000–2001 | Ramsgate Relief fleet | 2002–2007 named St. Brendan with Bantry Inshore Search & Rescue |
| B-559 | Long Life 3 | 1984–1999 1999–2002 | Aberdovey Relief fleet | Now named Spirit of Tortola at British Virgin Islands |
| B-560 | British Diver | 1983–2000 | Whitstable | |
| B-561 | Marjorie Turner | 1984–2002 | Youghal | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-562 | The Quiver | 1985–1998 1998–2001 | Southwold Relief fleet | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-563 | Blue Peter II | 1985–2000 2000–2002 | Beaumaris Relief fleet | Now with Finnish Lifeboat Society |
| B-564 | Blue Peter I | 1985–2001 2001–2003 | Littlehampton Relief fleet | |
| B-565 | Manchester and District XXXII | 1986–1997 1997–1998 | Appledore Relief fleet | |
| B-566 | Frank and Mary Atkinson | 1986–2002 | Lymington | Now named Willemtje with KNRM |
| B-567 | Percy Garon II | 1986–2001 2001–2002 2002 2002–2004 | Southend-on-Sea Relief fleet Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Relief fleet | Sold to Chile |
| B-568 | Burton Brewer | 1986–2000 2000–2002 2002 2002–2005 2005–2007 2008–2010 | Hartlepool Relief fleet St Abbs Relief fleet Training fleet Hired to Dorset Police (P-002) | Now with Dorset Police (P-002) |
| B-569 | Blue Peter V Unnamed | 1986–1994 1994–1997 1997–1998 1998–2000 | Portaferry Relief fleet Helvick Head Relief/Training fleet | |
| B-570 | Himley Hall | 1987–2001 2001–2005 | West Mersea Relief fleet | |
| B-571 | British Diver II | 1987–2002 2002–2006 2006–2021 | Harwich Relief fleet Training fleet | VMR Mornington, Australia, 2008 - 2016 - Operated by LifeSaving Victoria (Melbourne, Australia) 2016 - 2021 Operated by VMR Mornington - Volunteer Marine Rescue Inc (Mornington, Australia) 2021–Present - In private ownership (Mornington, Australia) |
| B-572 | Dorothy and Kathrine Barr | 1988–2001 | St Abbs | Now with Chilean Lifeboats |
| B-573 | The Lady Dart and Long Life II | 1988–2001 | Littlestone-on-Sea | Now with Chilean Lifeboats |
| B-574 | Joseph B. Press | 1988–2002 2002–2007 2007–2008 | Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Relief fleet Training fleet | |
| B-575 | John Batstone | 1989–1992 1992–1997 1997–1998 1998–2000 2000–2002 2002–2005 | Peel Relief fleet Clifden Relief fleet Crosshaven Relief fleet | |
| B-576 | Ellis Sinclair | 1989–2002 2002–2006 | Staithes and Runswick Relief fleet | |
| B-577 | Graham Hillier and Tony Cater | 1989–1997 1997–1999 | Brighton Relief fleet | 1999–2004 named Sidmouth Herald with Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat 2005–present named Ira with Nisos Yacht Charter in the Ionian Islands, Greece |
| B-578 | The Rotary Club of Glasgow | 1989–2006 2006–2008 2008–2010 | Macduff Training fleet Hired to Dorset Police (P-001) | Sold to Dorset Police (P-001). Now in private ownership in the Netherlands and named Anna Jacoba |
| B-579 | Institute of London Underwriters | 1989–1997 1997–2001 2001–2002 2002–2003 | Clacton-on-Sea Relief fleet St Abbs Relief fleet | |
| B-580 | Leicester Challenge | 1990–2001 2001–2002 2002 2002–2009 | Redcar Sligo Bay Enniskillin (Upper) Relief fleet | |
| B-581 | Andrew Mason | 1990–2002 2002–2004 2004–2008 | Helensburgh Relief fleet Enniskillin (Upper) | |
| B-582 | Borough of Solihull | 1990–2002 2002–2007 2007–2008 2008–2009 | Abersoch Relief fleet Training fleet Hired Dorset Police (P-003) | 2008–2011 with Dorset Police (P-003) 2011 - returned to RNLI |
| B-583 | Ken Derham | 1990–2006 2006–2009 | Mudeford Training fleet | 2021 Purchased by Safetyboat Services Ltd for use as a safety / rescue boat |
| B-584 | Youth of Ulster | 1991–2006 | Bangor | |
| B-585 | Peter and Grace Ewing | 1991–2006 | Kirkcudbright | |
| B-586 | Clothworker | 1991–1998 1998–1999 1999–2001 2001–2002 2002–2004 2004–2007 2007–2009 | Relief fleet Cardigan Relief fleet Littlehampton Relief fleet Lough Derg Relief fleet | |
| B-587 | Jessie Eliza | 1991–2000 | St Catherine | |
| B-588 | Frank and Dorothy | 1991–2006 2006–2008 2008–2009 | Teignmouth Relief fleet Storage | |
| B-589 | James Burgess | 1992–2006 2006–2009 | Walmer Training fleet | 2009 - Sold to Gardline |
| B-590 | Wolverson X-Ray | 1992–1993 1993–1994 1994–1996 1996 1996–1997 1997–2002 2002 2002–2006 2006–2007 2007–2009 | Relief fleet Aberystwyth Relief fleet Kilrush Galway Relief fleet Youghal Relief fleet Cullercoats Training fleet | Now named The Dove II with Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat |
| B-591 | Edmund and Joan White | 1992–2006 2006–2008 | Cullercoats Enniskillin (Lower) | Now with ICE-SAR in Eskifjordur |
| B-592 | Ernest Armstrong | 1992–1998 1998–2001 2001–2003 2003–2006 | Relief fleet Arran (Lamlash) Relief fleet Enniskillin (Lower) | |
| B-593 | Valerie Hull | 1993–2006 | Kilkeel | 2010–2013 with Oban Sea Cadets 2013–present in private ownership |
| B-594 | Herbert and Edith | 1993–2006 | Port Erin | |
| B-595 | Falmouth Round Table | 1994–2007 | Falmouth | Now with KNRM |
* ↑ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.
* ↑ Not every Atlantic 21-class lifeboat was given a name