Broker Remarks

St Andrew - Non self-righting Watson 41 Ex RNLI Lifeboat, presented in extremely original condition. Privately owned since 1982, and appearing on TV for ITV's "The Royal".
Beleived to be the only one of her type in largely original condition, with the exeption to her changes in the forward cabin. Sweet to the eye, low profile and rare funnel housing the engine exhausts. 

Built in 1952 by William Osborne. She was stationed at Whitehills, Girvan & Arklow during her time in service. Launched 81 times, saving 21 lives. 
Re engined in 1963 by the RNLI to 2 x 47hp Ford-based Parsons 4 Cylinder diesel engines. A welcome updrade from her original 6 cylinder petrol engines.

Video

• Manufacturer: William Osbourne
• Price: £22,000
• Location: Milford Haven
• Year: 1952
• LOA: 41'0" (12.50m)
• Berths: 4
• Draft in M: Max: 1
• Keel: Displacement
• ID no.: 27158

• Cabins: 2
• Heating: N
• Engine Make: Ford
• Horsepower: 47hp
• Drive Type: Shaft drive
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Cruise Speed: 6
• Top Speed: 7.5

Accommodation

Huge, wide side decks
Funnel for exhausts
Hatches
Ventilation

Open rear cockpit, standing helm with 360 vision
Access to seating area, with benches
Access to engine bay
Large engine bay accessed via ladder from seating area

Forward saloon & cabin:

Ex-RNLI crew / casualty quaters
Light fit out
Access via ladder from forward deck
Blue seating / converting into 2 berths
Storage
Forward cabin V berths, sleeping 2
Storage

Possible area for 2 further berths above seating area in main saloon

St Andrew, ex RNLI Watson 41Lifeboat (ON 897)

Built by William Osbourne in 1952.

The 41 ft Watson non self-righting lifeboat was designed for service at stations which required a larger and more powerful boat than the standard carriage launched types, but which could not accommodate the larger Watson types through boathouse or slipway constraints.

With production starting in 1933, this type of lifeboat was put back into production in 1948, nine years after the previous one had been built. The new revised version had an enlarged cabin which replaced the forward shelter. From 1963 eight of the boats, including St Andrew, were re-engined with 47 bhp Ford-based Parsons Porbeagle 4-cylinder diesel engines. The last four 41s to be built, however, were built with one cockpit aft containing the wheel, engine controls, shelter for eight crew and access to the engine room. She served at Whitehills, Girvan and Arklow but, as a new generation of lifeboats were being introduced, St Andrew had 3 spells in the relief fleet lasting in total about 11 years. As the normal life of a lifeboat is 25 years, St Andrew has not had a hard life, the engines being 19 years old when sold out of service, 8 years of that time having been spent in the relief fleet.

St Andrew was the last Watson 41 to be built. It is believed she is the only one of her type largely as original, except for changes to her forard cabin and fore peak. She is much admired partly because she is sweet to the eye, having a low profile and very rare funnel that houses the engine exhausts.

Mechanical and Rigging

2 x 1963 47hp Ford-based Parsons 4 Cylinder diesel engines (RNLI Fitted) Serviced 5 hours ago. 

1 x Hand bilge pump
5 x Electric bilge pumps
Seago 6-man liferaft
2 x 2kg CO2 Fire extinguishers
2 x Varta 1000AH Batteries (2024)

Hull & Topsides:

Aluminium superstructure

Double Diagonal Mahogany on Oak Planking
Canadian Elm Ribs
Teak Keel
English Oak Stem & Stern Posts

Painted in near original RNLI colours (2025)

Inventory

Garmin 500 GPS
Simrad CE33 Plotter / Fishfinder
NASA VHF Radio

Main RNLI Anchor
35lb CQR Anchor
Kelvin Hughes main compass, in binnacle
Lifebuoy & two lights
Marinepool rescue harness
Coastal flare pack
Boathook x 2
Fenders and Warps

No toilet or gas appliances

Finance