Name Hilton Briggs

HILTON BRIGGS (ON889) is a 52ft Barnett-class lifeboat and was built in 1951 by J Samuel White & Co Ltd at Cowes, Isle of Wight, funded by a gift from Mrs Emily Annie Briggs of Southport, Lancashire. She still retains her original twin Ferry 6-cylinder 63hp engines, as well as a rare BURNS – RNLI patented Reduction and Thrust unit manufactured by Weyburn Engineering Co Ltd, Surrey. She has an enclosed rudder skeg that allowed her to be slip-launched.

She was initially stationed at Aberdeen No.1, between 1951 and 1958, followed by Fenit, from 1958 to 1968. In 1969, she was added to the Relief fleet until 1974, serving shortly at Longhope in 1970. 

Throughout her life of service, she launched 75 times saving 48 lives. Silver medals were awarded to her Coxswain Albert William Bird and her Motor Mechanic Ian Jack, for the rescue of 12 crewmembers from the burning trawler NETTA CROAN in April 1974.

Between 1974 and 1975 she served at Invergordon before being sold out of service the following year and being converted into a motor yacht, with the addition of a cabin. She is currently based at Bristol Harbour.