The old D-Class
Utilization For more than 40 years the D class lifeboat has served as the workhorse of the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) fleet. Significantly smaller in comparison to the rest of the inshore fleet, the D-class is also the only vessel not to feature a rigid hull. The main aspect of the boat would be both its size and weight. The D-class has been specifically designed as a light and highly manoeuvrable rapid response craft. Design and Construction The D-class lifeboat is comprised of two sponsons, together housing 7 inflatable segments intersected by baffles. The main construction fabric is Hypalon-coated Nylon which provides a durable, non-tear surface. This is one of the smaller classes of lifeboat operated by the RNLI, and they are a common sight at lifeboat stations around the coast. Unlike other members of the ILB fleet, the D-class does not have a rigid hull; all others, with the exception of the Arancia, hovercraft and ALB Tenders, are Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs}. The D-Class normally has a crew of three or four and is primarily used for surfer/swimmer incidents as well as assisting in cliff incidents where the casualty is near the water. The very nature of its work requires a swift response, and the D-class can normally be afloat within five minutes of the pagers going off.
| Length: | 16 ft |
| Weight | 436 kg |
| introduced | 1963 |
| Construction: | FRC with Hypalon coated polyester collar |
| Engines: | 40 hp Mariner Outboard |
| Speed: | 25 knots |
| Endurance: | 3 hours at top speed |
| Crew: |
3 or 4 |
The new Ib1 D-class
| Length: | 4.9 m |
| Beam: | 2 m |
| Displacement: | 338 kg |
| Construction: | FRC with Hypalon coated polyester collar |
| Engines: | 50 hp Mariner Outboard |
| Speed: | 25 knots |
| Endurance: | 3 hours at top speed |
| Crew: | 3 or 4 |
Ib1 class lifeboats are inflatable Lifeboats serving in the UKs RNLI Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) fleet. Although they are known as the "IB1" at times, they are the latest development of the D-Class Lifeboat and as such are mainly referred to as a "D-Class".
This class of lifeboat is one of the smallest operated by the RNLI, and they are becoming a common sight at Lifeboat Stations round the coast. Unlike other members of the ILB fleet the IB1 (D-class) does not have a rigid hull, all others with the exception of the Arancia, hovercraft & ALB Tenders are Rigid Inflatable Boats or ribs.
The IB1 normally has a crew of three or 4 and is primarily used for surfer/swimmer incidents as well as assisting in cliff incidents where the casualty is near the water. The very nature of its work requires a swift response, and the IB1 can normally be afloat within five minutes of the pagers going off.