Issue date: 1st July 2024
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the creation of the RNLI. Part 2 depicts Tristan Rescue Boats that have been used over the years.
55p Whaling Boat, 19th century.
The whaleboat was a double-ended, light, open boat with a length of 27ft - 31ft and a beam of slightly more than ⅕ the length. It was pulled with oars and sailed.
These were used by islanders to aid many stricken sailors. Two well-known rescues were of the Blenden Hall & Mabel Clark.
Around 1886 a whaleboat type was adapted by islanders into what is known locally as a longboat.
85p Barge, Pequena.
Built in South Africa the Pequena was bought in by the South African fishing company, Tristan Investments. A 30ft, self- propelled fiberglass and wood barge with a flat hull and 6-cylinder diesel engine.
The Pequena was sold in 1995 to the Government and renamed Sandy Point Express.
£1.30 Launch, Atlantic Spray.
The Atlantic Spray was built in 1982 by staff at the local fishing factory (Tristan Investments) for the Government using the design of the fishing boats. The Atlantic Spray is a 27ft long fiberglass and wood boat powered by a 4-cylinder diesel engine.
£2 RIB, Atlantic Dawn.
An 8m tornado search and rescue RIB the Atlantic Dawn is powered by two Yamaha 200hp outboards. She has a range of 150miles, can carry a max of 10 people and is designed to carry stretchers. The Atlantic Dawn is used for ship to shore operations in poor weather conditions, as a support boat when Islanders go to the Caves, Stoney Beach & Nightingale Island and has assisted in countless medical emergencies.
FDC Cover, Wave Dancer.
The Wave Dancer is a Pacific 38 cabin RIB with a range of 200 miles. She is used as a fisheries patrol vessel, fishing and customs inspections, inshore science surveys, and outer-island trips to conduct patrols and support scientific research. The Wave Dancer assists the search and rescue craft during poor weather conditions for operations further offshore.