ATLANTIC CLASS lifeboat

[aukepalmhof]

5) Atlantic class
The first rigid inflatable boat (RIB) from the Atlantic class is the rubber boat with a fixed bottom. This class has been in use by the KNRM since 1973.
Photographer Cees van der Meulen (Netherlands Photo Museum Rotterdam).

https://www.postzegelblog.nl/2024/05/19 ... el-en-wee/

The Atlantic class still in use in the Dutch waters is 19 units, she were built between 2001 and 2012.
Weight 1.6 tons, dim, 7.50 x 2.64m and a draught of 0.70m.
Powered by 2 x 90 hp outboard motors speed 32 knots,
Can carry 15 rescued persons, and 3 crew.

LIFEBOAT CLASS ATLANTIC
The KNRM has been sailing with various types of Atlantics from the British Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) since 1972. A rubber boat with a fixed bottom and an outboard motor, which is launched with a boat trolley or is deployed from a floating boathouse. 
During the International Lifeboat Conferences in the 1960s and 1970s, the RNLI gave a presentation on the fast 'Inshore lifeboats' that they used for rescue work close to the coast. The RNLI had started with these in 1963 and had over 100 in service by 1971. They were initially simple rubber boats. Periods of testing, including at the Atlantic College in Wales, resulted in a new design of lifeboat in 1970 with a fixed wooden hull and an inflatable rubber skirt. These boats were soon given the name Atlantic. The length of 21 feet completed the name to Atlantic 21. 

ATLANTIC DUTCH INTEREST
The KNRM in the Netherlands showed interest in a boat that would be suitable for use on the Zeeland streams, but also further afield. The increasing recreation on the water caused an increase in the number of rescues. The demand for faster rescue equipment increased. In 1972, an Atlantic 21 was put into service for the first time in Ouddorp. In the meantime, the Atlantics have proven their great seaworthiness many times in the Netherlands and in England. As the crew members became more familiar with the boat and their experience was at a high level, rescues in wind force nine or more were no exception. 
ADJUSTMENTS
Over the years, the Atlantics have been modified regularly. The RNLI built extended versions of the Atlantic 21, the Atlantic 75 and 85. These 7.5 metre long boats have even better characteristics than the Atlantic 21. The KNRM has been sailing with this type of lifeboat since the beginning of this century. 

https://www.knrm.nl/reddingboten/atlantic-klasse (Google translated)
Netherland 2024 1 sg?, Scott?