Y-class lifeboat

The Y-class lifeboat is a class of small inflatable rescue boat operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Y-class boat aboard a Tamar-class lifeboat
Class overview
NameY-class
Operators Royal National Lifeboat Institution
General characteristics
Length3 m (9.8 ft)[1]
Propulsion1 × 15 hp (11 kW) outboard engine[2]
Speed25 knots (29 mph; 46 km/h)
RangeWithin visual range of ALB
Complement2

The Y-class is mainly used as a small tender carried on board the larger RNLI all-weather lifeboats that serve the shores of the UK, and is normally found on the Severn-class[2] and Tamar-class lifeboats,[3] the Arun-class having been retired.[1] They are also used as part of the RNLI's flood rescue team.

When in use, it carries up to a crew of two and is primarily used in cliff incidents where the casualty is near the shore and the all-weather lifeboat cannot safely get to the base of the cliffs due to rocks.

Other small boats operated by the RNLI include the Arancia-class beach rescue boats, the X-class and the XP-class lifeboats.[4]

Launching from Tamar class

Within the stern section of the Tamar-class lifeboat is a built-in recessed chamber which houses the small inflatable Y-class lifeboat.[5] Access to this inflatable tender is achieved by lifting a section of deck and lowering a transom which doubles as a ramp. This allows the tender to be easily launched and recovered.

References
  1. "Lifeboat Specifications - Current Fleet - Other Boats - Y Class". visiting-cornwall.co.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  2. "All Weather Lifeboat-Severn Class (ALB)". torbaylifeboat.co.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2021. The Severn Class is the largest in the RNLI fleet; it carries a Y class inflatable with a 15 HP outboard
  3. "2005: The Tamar class lifeboat". rnli.org. RNLI. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  4. "RNLI X+Y Boats". lifeboatsonline.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  5. "Tamar class lifeboat". rnli.org. RNLI. Retrieved 7 May 2021. The Tamar carries a Y boat, an inflatable powered daughter boat housed under the aft deck, which can be deployed from a hinged door in the transom
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