The D-class lifeboat (Avon S650) was a sub-class of four inflatable boats operated as part of the D-class between 1971 and 1986 by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution of the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was superseded by the D-class lifeboat (Zodiac III).
Utilization For more than 60 years the D-class has served as the workhorse of the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) fleet. The D-class is one of the few RNLI types not to feature a rigid hull. The D-class was specifically designed as a light and highly manoeuvrable rapid response craft, especially suited to close shore work.
There were only four Avon S650 boats in service with the RNLI
Design and construction The D-class lifeboat consists of two sponsons, together housing four inflatable segments intersected by baffles.
This was one of the smaller classes of lifeboat operated by the RNLI, and while there were only four Avon S650s in the fleet, the D-class were 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).
Fleet Op. No. Name Principal Station CommentsD-200 1971–1976 1976–1978 Relief fleetD-201 1971 1971–1973 Relief fleet 1973 D-221 1971–1973 Relief fleet D-222 1971–1973 Relief fleet
See also Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats
References
External links
RNLI Fleet RNLI Lifeboats