Just for "info", I was In deepdiscussion with the Lead mechanic of a Mersey Class on tuesday and gleams a load of Info from him.

For example, for the piston heads !
the normal "cruising " speed of the twin 3408cat turbo's Is 10 knots and consumes 10 gallons of diesel an hour.

FULL speed runs the cats at 2500 rpm, and uses 22 gallons an hour In fuel.

The 3408 V8 turbo runs currently at 250 bhp.
RNLI does have 340 bhp versions In other boats.

the RNLI are just about to open a new station on the Scottish coast and are going to allocate a NEW build Mersey to It, so there Is STILL life In an old dog yet !

AND for the very first time, RNLI lifejackets now have pockets! Situated behind the RNLI logo, you can just see the yellow zipper tag If you look closely. Just enough space for your mobile [waterproof version of course, oh and a mars bar or three!