Fuel consumption ... eek!

[fireball]

From the news item about Lifeboats being hit by fuel prices ...
[ QUOTE ]
A single Trent Class lifeboat uses 360 litres of fuel an hour at its top speed of 24 knots, but only 100 litres an hour at 20 knots.

[/ QUOTE ]

Eeek!! That is a HUGE difference in consumption for just 4 knots, and I know it will change dramatically with different weather conditions, but just why is there such an impact on consumption.... ?
Do these vessels plane?

 

[ccscott49]

Surely fer chrissakes, lifeboats should get subsidised fuel!! Even total tax relieved fuel, no duty atall. What a effin mess!

 

[snowleopard]

They certainly do plane. Hull speed for that LWL is only 9 knots.

 

[[2068]]

That doesn't sound quite right to me.

I could believe a cruise figure of 200L/hr with max of 360...

dv.

 

[nimbusgb]

One has to wonder why the NSRI has waited this long to implement the 'go slow' policy. Surely they have known all along that fuel is one of their biggest expenditures. If a 4 knot reduction in non emergency top speed brought about significant savings ( I find the figures questionable too ) from donated coffers they would have been using it all along?

I find it hard to believe that the NSRI management is that cavalier.

 

[GBGaffer]

[ QUOTE ]
One has to wonder why the NSRI has waited this long to implement the 'go slow' policy. Surely they have known all along that fuel is one of their biggest expenditures. If a 4 knot reduction in non emergency top speed brought about significant savings ( I find the figures questionable too ) from donated coffers they would have been using it all along?

I find it hard to believe that the NSRI management is that cavalier.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you have the wrong country - NSRI is South African. I believe you mean the RNLI /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[Searush]

Would you pay for the extra fuel if they were coming out on your shout? That 4kts could make the difference between life and death in some circumstances (say fire/ sinking/ MoB etc)

 

[nimbusgb]

re Serush

I did say 'non emergency' go slow.

re NSRI and RNLI /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif oops!

 

[wotayottie]

maybe its time for the rnli to charge for rescues as the froggies do. and perhaps send one boat rather than 2 or 3. and less glitzy stations. and maybe think twice before going out on a purely precautionary shout. but then I suppose thats down to the CG.

dont get me wrong - I think the RNLI are brilliant and particularly the guys who volunteer foc. . but you do get the impression that because they have lots of money, they spend it pretty freely.