| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | Lochin Marine International Ltd., Rye, East Sussex |
| Operators | |
| Preceded by | Rother |
| Succeeded by | Arun |
| Built | 1981–1985 |
| In service | 1982– |
| Completed | 10 |
| Active | 3 |
| Retired | 7 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Motor lifeboat |
| Displacement | 8.5 long tons (8.6 t) |
| Length | 33 ft (10 m) |
| Beam | 12 ft (3.7 m) |
| Draught | 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m) |
| Speed | 18.6 knots (21.4 mph) |
| Range | 140 nautical miles (260 km) |
| Capacity | 8 plus 1 stretcher |
| Crew | 4 |
The Brede-class lifeboat was operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) from its stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom between 1982 and 2002, at which time it was the fastest all-weather lifeboat in its fleet. Eleven were put into service and when replaced by larger boats, seven were sold for further use as lifeboats, mainly in South Africa.
The class took its name from the River Brede which joins the River Rother to flow into the English Channel at Rye, Sussex.