The D-class (IB1) lifeboats are

inflatable boat An inflatable boat is a lightweight boat constructed with its sides and bow made of flexible tubes containing pressurised gas. For smaller boats, the floor and hull is often flexible, while for boats longer than , the floor typically consists ...

s serving in the RNLI inshore lifeboat (ILB) fleet as well as a number of Independent Lifeboats around the UK and Ireland. 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 a common sight at lifeboat stations round the coast. Unlike other members of the ILB fleet, the D-class (IB1) does not have a rigid hull. All others with the exception of the Arancia, hovercraft and all-weather lifeboat tenders are rigid inflatable boats. The IB1 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 IB1 can normally be afloat very quickly. As of February 2020 the minimum crew for an RNLI IB1 was raised from 2 to 3. Some Independent Lifeboats have different crewing levels to the RNLI.

RNLI Fleet

Source
Lifeboat World Online
2009 Open day at Hayling Lifeboat Station (8) - geograph

References

External links

RNLI Fleet
d83 {{RNLI lifeboat classes Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats Inflatable boats