Scot Seats to rebuild seats for all RNLI E class lifeboats

Scot Seats is involved in a rolling programme to build replacement seats for RNLI E class lifeboats.

Skydex impact mitigating seat cushion inserts are being fitted into all E class lifeboats. The inserts are said to enhance comfort and cushion durability.

So far the company has refurbished three of the boats, at its factory in Scotland. The RNLI remove the seat tops and send them to the factory for the work to be carried out.

“The objective was to retain existing seat designs and improve the cushion performance,” says Jonathan Young, Scot Seats’ MD. “The refit project needed to be completed quickly to ensure that lifeboats had minimum time out of service.”

E class is the fastest lifeboat in the RNLI fleet and was specially designed for London’s busy River Thames. With its powerful tidal currents, submerged debris and heavy traffic, the Thames can be incredibly dangerous for those on and around the water. The E class lifeboat was designed to handle these river conditions. The crew consists of four people who sit on jockey and bench seats, with capacity for 20 casualties.