The French lifeboat PIERRE LOTI was built by Chantier Franco-Belges, Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, France for the French Societe National de Sauvetage.
Steel hull, displacement 20.1 ton, dim. 15.3 x 4.1 x 1.4m,
Powered by two diesel engines each 265 hp, speed 14.5 knots.
Range 270 miles.
1973 Delivered based at Saint Jean de Luz.
Five of this type were built for the French Lifeboat Society, the PIERRE LOTO was the third of her class. The inscription on the stamp gives “canot tous temps” what means “all weather lifeboat”.
In the front of the boat is a cabin with an office and 2 berth benches and toilet, the cockpit is built above the bunker tanks. Another cabin is situated in the stern of the boat and is similar as the fore cabin. The lifeboat was fitted out with all the modern navigation equipment of that time.
She carries a pneumatic life raft for 10 persons.
The stamp is designed by Mr. Roger Chapelet (1903-1995), France’s most famous marine painter.
September 1999 out of service and replaced by a new lifeboat, her fate is not known by me.
France 1974 90c sg2040, scott1401. (the wrecked cargo ship is unnamed.)
Source: Internet. Watercraft Philately Nov.-Dec 1974 page 23.