David J Hoskin

Current boat name

David J Hoskin

Boat class

7553

Function

Service

Type

Length (m / ft)

7.87 / 25ft 10in

Beam (m / ft)

1.73 / 5ft 8in

Date of build

1962

Place of build

Australia

Present use

Store

This boat was built by WH. Barnett in 1962 for Newcastle Surf Lifesaving Club of New South Wales, who presented it to the Bude Surf Lifesaving Club in 1969. They then presented it to the Maritime Museum when they replaced it with a fibreglass boat. The Surf Lifeboat in this form is an Australian invention and almost a traditional part of the Australian beach scene. The boat itself is as good as can be devised for launching rapidly from gradually sloping beaches into surf, for it is lightly built and has plenty of 'lift' in the bows. Apart from its lifesaving role, the boat is much used for sport and competitions connected with lifesaving and teams from all over Australia compete in national events. The Australian surf lifeboat is now to be seen in British waters and is used for much the same purposes. WofB In Store in the Potato Shed.