XP-class lifeboat

The XP-class lifeboat is a class of small inflatable rescue boat operated by the RNLI of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Other small boats operated by the RNLI include the Arancia-class beach rescue boats, the X-class and the Y-class lifeboats.

History The XP-class boat was a commercially available small inflatable boat, the Avon Rover 200, for use as a tender with larger vessels, and manufactured by Avon in based in Dafen, Carmarthenshire, Wales.

The craft was acquired by the RNLI, primarily for service as a daughter boat for the All-weather lifeboats, to be used in areas inaccessible to the much larger Trent-class.

One XP-class (XP-32) was operated as a daughter boat for the .

Over a period of 10 years, four XP-class boats were placed on service at South Broads Lifeboat Station in Suffolk. The XP was carried on a purpose built rack on the back of a Ford Ranger crew cab pickup, with the engine and all gear stowed in the load bed. On arrival on scene at any launch site within the 120-mile operating area of the station, the boat could be unpacked and launched within four minutes. On evaluation tests, it was found that with the engine tilted up, it could operate in water depths of just . The South Broads boat had a 15-hp engine, delivering over 20 knots. closed in 2011.

Specification Operated by one or two crew members, the XP boat was usually equipped with a 5-hp outboard engine, giving a top speed of 6–8 knots. The boat weighed 70kg, and required inflation before use. It was constructed of hypalon/neoprene coated polyester, and featured a slatted roll-away deck.

All of the following fleet details are referenced to the 2004–2026 Lifeboat Enthusiast Society Handbooks, with information retrieved directly from RNLI records, although the majority of records were only kept from 2008 onwards.

XP fleet list Host lifeboat Station CommentsXP-01 14-31 Elizabeth of Glamis 2004–200714-17 Elizabeth and Ronald 2008–2017 2020 14-27 Robert Hywel Jones Williams 2022 14-16 Stanley Watson Barker 2008 14-25 Austin Lidbury 2013 14-07 Frederick Storey Cockburn 2016 14-32 Corinne Whiteley 2020– XP-03 14-08 Douglas Aikman Smith 2008–2009 XP-0414-31 Elizabeth of Glamis 2008 2010–2016 14-13 George and Ivy Swanson 2020XP-05 – 2001–2004 14-04 Roy Barker I 2010–2023 XP-06 14-10 Samarbeta 2008–2010 XP-07 14-34 Elizabeth of Glamis 2024– XP-09 14-34 Willie & May Gall 2008–2024XP-10 14-15 Henry Heys Duckworth 2016–2019 14-02 Esme Anderson 2022 14-15 Henry Heys Duckworth 2025– XP-11 14-15 Barclaycard Crusader 2008–2017 XP-13 14-05 Anna Livia 2004–2007 14-31 Elizabeth of Glamis 2009XP-1414-27 Robert Hywel Jones Williams 2009–2021 2023–XP-15 14-08 Douglas Aikman Smith 2010–2020 14-25 Austin Lidbury 2022XP-16 14-26 Gough Ritchie II 2008–2021 14-05 Anna Livia 2023–XP-17 14-37 Betty Huntbatch 2009 14-31 Elizabeth of Glamis 2017–2023 14-21 MacQuarie 2023–2024 XP-18 14-13 George and Ivy Swanson 2008–2019 XP-19 14-04 Roy Barker I 2008–2009 14-38 Jim Moffat 2011–2012 14-36 Saxon 2016–2022 14-33 Roy Barker III 2023– XP-20 14-27 Robert Hywel Jones Williams 2008 XP-21 14-37 Betty Huntbatch 2015 XP-22 14-33 Roy Barker III 2010 XP-23 14-18 Maurice and Joyce Hardy 2009 14-28 Sam and Ada Moody 2011–2012XP-24*14-30 Dr John McSparran 2009–2010 2013–2022 14-03 Blue Peter VII 2020–XP-2514-05 Anna Livia 2008–2009 2011–2022 XP-26 14-36 Saxon 2009–2015 XP-2714-28 Sam and Ada Moody 2009–2010 2013– XP-27 14-25 Austin Lidbury 2012 XP-2814-02 Esme Anderson 2009–2021 2023– XP-29 14-20 Roy Barker II 2013–2022XP-30 14-36 Saxon 2008 14-07 Frederick Storey Cockburn 2009 14-05 Anna Livia 2010 14-26 Gough Ritchie II 2022–2024XP-31 14-18 Maurice and Joyce Hardy 2008 14-34 Willie & May Gall 2025–XP-32 B-809 The Two Annes 2007–2013 14-18 Maurice and Joyce Hardy 2021–2024XP-33 – 2004–2005 14-20 Roy Barker II 2008–2012XP-3414-19 Ger Tigchelaar 2008–2024 2026– XP-35 14-16 Stanley Watson Barker 2009–XP-36 14-23 Mora Edith MacDonald 2008–2022 14-21 MacQuarie 2024–XP-37 14-38 Jim Moffat 2008 14-18 Maurice and Joyce Hardy 2010–2012XP-38 14-30 Dr John McSparran 200814-10 Samarbeta 2011–2021 2023– XP-39 14-35 John Neville Taylor 2008–2010 XP-4014-33 Roy Barker III 2008–2009 2011–2022XP-4114-07 Frederick Storey Cockburn 2008 2010–2011 2013–2015 2018–2022 2025–2026 XP-42 – 2005–2008 XP-4314-38 Jim Moffat 2009–2010 2013XP-45 – 2008–2011 14-18 Maurice and Joyce Hardy 2013–2019XP-46 14-03 Blue Peter VII 2008–2019 14-18 Maurice and Joyce Hardy 2020 13-41 William and Agnes Wray 2023–2024XP-4714-25 Austin Lidbury 2008–2010 2014–2021 XP-48 14-14 George and Mary Webb 2008–2022XP-49 2018–2019 14-10 Samarbeta 2022XP-50 14-29 Inner Wheel II 2009–2011 14-35 John Neville Taylor 2011–2012 14-29 Inner Wheel II 2014–2023 14-29 Inner Wheel II 2024–XP-51 14-37 Betty Huntbatch 2016–2025 14-37 Betty Huntbatch 2026– number* Unresolved date conflict

References

External links RNLI Fleet