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RNLI Lifeboats
All-weather lifeboats
All-weather lifeboats (ALBs) are capable of high speed and can be operated safely in all weather conditions. They are inherently self-righting after a capsize and fitted with navigation, location and communication equipment. Big and bright, the sight of one of our all-weather lifeboats on the horizon has given hope to many.
The all-weather fleet currently consists of the Shannon, Severn, Trent, Tamar and Mersey class lifeboats.
Inshore lifeboats
Inshore lifeboats (ILBs) usually operate closer to shore, in shallower water, near cliffs, rocks and even in caves. They are designed to be quick and manoeuvrable, allowing our crews to get as close as possible to those in trouble.
The inshore lifeboat fleet consists of the B and D class lifeboats, as well as the E class lifeboats on the River Thames.
Hovercraft
We also have inshore rescue hovercraft for areas that are inaccessible to conventional RNLI lifeboats such as mud flats and river estuaries. The hovercraft allows us to fly across dangerous terrain, enabling our lifesavers to quickly get to those who need us most.
Hovercraft are on station at Hoylake, Hunstanton, Morecambe, and Southend lifeboat stations.
Types of Boats and Names
Shannon class lifeboat
Shannon class lifeboat
Shannon class lifeboat
The Shannon is the latest class of all-weather lifeboat to join the RNLI fleet. She’s the first modern all-weather lifeboat to be propelled by waterjets instead of traditional propellers, making her our most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat yet.
Tamar class lifeboat
Shannon class lifeboat
Shannon class lifeboat
When our Tamar class lifeboat was introduced into the RNLI fleet in 2005, she was our most sophisticated and safest lifeboat of the time.
Severn class lifeboat
Shannon class lifeboat
Severn class lifeboat
Our Severn class lifeboat is the largest lifeboat in the RNLI fleet. She was developed in the early 1990s and introduced into the fleet in 1996.
Trent class lifeboat
Mersey class lifeboat
Severn class lifeboat
The Trent class was our first all-weather lifeboat capable of 25 knots and a range of 250 nautical miles, setting the precedent for the RNLI fleet.
Mersey class lifeboat
Mersey class lifeboat
Mersey class lifeboat
The Mersey class all-weather lifeboat was our first fast carriage-launched lifeboat.
D class lifeboat
Mersey class lifeboat
Mersey class lifeboat
Our D class inshore lifeboat has been the workhorse of the RNLI for over 50 years.
She is highly manoeuvrable and usually operates closer to shore than our all-weather lifeboats. She comes into her own for searches and rescues in the surf, shallow water and confined locations - often close to cliffs, among rocks and even inside caves.
B class Atlantic lifeboat
B class Atlantic lifeboat
B class Atlantic lifeboat
Our B class inshore lifeboat is one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet.
The current generation of B class lifeboat is called the Atlantic 85 – named after Atlantic College in Wales where these rigid inflatable lifeboats (RIBs) were first developed. 85 represents its length – nearly 8.5m.
There have been three generations of B class lifeboat
Our B class inshore lifeboat is one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet.
The current generation of B class lifeboat is called the Atlantic 85 – named after Atlantic College in Wales where these rigid inflatable lifeboats (RIBs) were first developed. 85 represents its length – nearly 8.5m.
There have been three generations of B class lifeboat. The first one was the Atlantic 21, the first RIB to join the RNLI fleet. It served from 1972 until 2008.
The Atlantic 21 was then replaced by the Atlantic 75, which was in service from 1993 until 2022. It has now been replaced by the Atlantic 85, which was introduced to the fleet in 2005.
E class lifeboat
B class Atlantic lifeboat
B class Atlantic lifeboat
Our E class inshore lifeboat is the fastest in the RNLI fleet and was specially designed for London’s busy River Thames.
With its powerful tidal currents, submerged debris and heavy traffic, the River Thames can be incredibly dangerous for those on and by the water and the E class lifeboat was designed to handle these river conditions.
St
Our E class inshore lifeboat is the fastest in the RNLI fleet and was specially designed for London’s busy River Thames.
With its powerful tidal currents, submerged debris and heavy traffic, the River Thames can be incredibly dangerous for those on and by the water and the E class lifeboat was designed to handle these river conditions.
Stationed at our two busiest lifeboat stations, Tower and Chiswick, the first generation of E class lifeboats – the Mk1 – was introduced into the fleet in 2002 and the second generation – the Mk2 – in 2012.
Rescue hovercraft
B class Atlantic lifeboat
Inshore rescue boat
RNLI inshore rescue hovercraft can reach areas inaccessible to conventional lifeboats, extending our lifesaving capability around the coast.
Typically, the hovercraft operates on large areas of tidal mudflats or sand where the surface is too soft to support land vehicles and where the water is too shallow for boats.
Each year, these areas
RNLI inshore rescue hovercraft can reach areas inaccessible to conventional lifeboats, extending our lifesaving capability around the coast.
Typically, the hovercraft operates on large areas of tidal mudflats or sand where the surface is too soft to support land vehicles and where the water is too shallow for boats.
Each year, these areas see a number of incidents where people are caught out by the rising tide or trapped in quicksand or soft mud. Unless help is provided rapidly, such situations often result in tragedy.
Inshore rescue boat
Inshore rescue boat
Inshore rescue boat
Inshore rescue boats (IRBs) are primarily used by RNLI lifeguards so that they can reach casualties in the surf, fast.
This small inflatable boat tends to be operated by two people: one focused on controlling the craft, the other focused on finding and aiding casualties.
A few lifeboat stations also use an inshore rescue boat.
Police Boats
History of the Police Boat
The history of police boats in the UK started in 1800 with the Thames River Police. The Thames River Police was formed in 1800 to tackle the theft and looting from ships as merchants lost millions (in today’s money) in stolen cargo. It gradually evolved into the Marine Policing Unit.
The Police Forces which actively use police boats today are the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), Police Scotland, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Other forces may have access to Police Boats but do not always have dedicated patrols.
Fire Boats
They can also be used for rescuing vessels that have got into trouble, towing distressed vessels, and rescuing people and animals from both water and the riverside.
They have been built with a flat bottom and a reinforced keel, so we can ‘beach’ the boats on the riverbank and lower our front access ramp without harm.
Fire boat statistics
- Two water monitors that can be operated remotely and pump 2,500 litres a minute
- A top speed of 45 knots (51 miles per hour)
- Our boats operate on the Thames between Hampton Court and Dartford Crossing
- They have a crane to help rescue people from the water
- Each boat is built with a flat bottom, so they can reach the riverside easily
- They are crewed by an officer and 4 firefighters