D class lifeboat

Speed

With a top speed of 25 knots, our D class lifeboat can endure 3 hours at sea at this speed on search and rescue missions – a crucial factor when lives at risk.

Manoeuvrability

Not only that, she can access areas inaccessible to our all-weather lifeboats, such as close to cliffs, rocks and caves.

As an inflatable inshore lifeboat, the D class is designed to operate close to shore in shallower water.

She is ideal for rescues in fair to moderate conditions and particularly in big surf.

Most D class lifeboats are launched from a trolley, with the help of a launch and recovery vehicle such as a tractor. They can also be lowered into the sea using a davit system (a shore-mounted crane).

Safety

With no wheelhouse on the D class lifeboat, the crew are exposed to the elements at all times and rely on their protective kit to keep them safe and warm.

Many rescues take place at night and can involve being close to dangerous cliffs, manmade structures or caves.

In addition to night vision equipment, the D class lifeboat carries a searchlight and parachute illuminating flares to light up the surrounding area, helping to keep crew members safe as well as locate those in need of help.

Medical equipment is stowed in the bow pod and includes oxygen and full resuscitation kit, responder bag and multi-purpose ambulance pouch.

In the event of a capsize, the D class lifeboat can be righted manually by the crew and her 50hp outboard engine restarted.

Efficiency and effectiveness

With over 60 years’ service, our D class lifeboat has helped us to save thousands of lives at sea and continues to be the workhorse of the RNLI fleet today.

Since she joined the fleet in 1963, her design has evolved to meet the changing needs of our search and rescue service. The latest generation of D class lifeboats, known as the IB1 type, was introduced in 2003 with improved speed, manoeuvrability and equipment.

All D class lifeboats are built and maintained at our Inshore Lifeboat Centre at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Lifeboat category:
Inshore

Year introduced to the RNLI fleet:
1963 – her design has continued to evolve ever since

Latest design:
IB1 type introduced in 2003

Launch type:
Trolley or davit

Crew:
3-4

Survivor capacity:
5

Maximum speed:
25 knots

Range / endurance:
3 hours at maximum speed

Length:
5m 

Beam / width:
2m

Draught / depth:
0.52m

Displacement / weight:
500kg

Fuel capacity:
68 litres

Engines:
1 x Mariner 3-cylinder 2-stroke 0.7 litre 50hp outboard petrol engine

Construction:
Hypalon-coated polyester

Number in fleet:
Currently 184 in total, 144 at stations, 7 in training fleet and 33 in build or repair

Identification
All lifeboats have a unique identification number.
The first part indicates the class so D class lifeboats start with D.
The numbers after the dash refer to the build number. So the first D class built in the current IB1 design was given the number D-600.

Communications and navigation
Includes:

• fitted and hand-held VHF (very high frequency) radio
• magnetic compass
• onboard global positioning system (GPS) plotter.