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The E Class Lifeboat - more specs The E class lifeboats were bought off the shelf to meet the deadline for the Thames operations. After 12 months of service they have been refitted at the RNLI workshops in Cowes to equip them better for their duties on the river. |
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The boat carries a large first aid kit as well as oxygen and entenox. Trials are starting soon on a portable defibrillator. The boat has a stretcher and spine board. The new layout has a large open area in front of the console for treating casualties. |
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The console has been completely rebuilt with seats for four crew. Electronic aids include radar and gps chart plotter. These are useful in searches and essential in foggy weather when visibility on the Thames can go below 10m. There are two VHF marine radios and a police band radio for direct communications with the shore and river police. The crew helmets plug into the radio system and also act as an intercom. |
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Thorough checks are carried out on both Steyr turbo diesels at the start of each 12 hour shift. Each crew has an RNLI trained mechanic who can fix routine problems. |
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The E class can carry 20 survivors. To deal with an incident on one of the passenger boats which carry many more people there are 3 self inflating liferafts fixed on pontoons at strategic points on the river. This can be towed at high speed to an incident and can carry a further 60 people. |
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