D-class lifeboat (Avon S650)

Class overview
Name| D-class (Avon S650)
Builders| Avon Inflatables
Operators|  Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Preceded by| D-class (RFD PB16)
Succeeded by| D-class (Zodiac III)
Built| 1971
In service| 1971–1978
Completed| 4
Retired| 4
General characteristics
Class and type| Avon S650
Length| 5 m (16 ft)
Beam| 2 m (6.6 ft)
Propulsion| 1 × 40 hp Evinrude outboard engine
Speed| 20 knots (23 mph; 37 km/h)
Endurance| 3 hours at full speed
Capacity| 10

The D-class lifeboat (Avon S650) was a sub-class of 4 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 It was superseded by the D-class lifeboat (Zodiac III).[1]

## Utilization

[edit]

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 4 Avon S650 boats in service with the RNLI

## Design and construction

[edit]

The D-class lifeboat consists of two sponsons, together housing four inflatable segments intersected by baffles.[2]

This was one of the smaller classes of lifeboat operated by the RNLI, and while there were only 4 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

[edit]

Op. No.[a] | Name  | In service [3] | Principal Station  | Comments

|
|
|
|

D-200  | Unnamed | 1971–1976
1976–1978  | Walmer
Relief fleet  |
D-201  | Unnamed | 1971
1971–1973
1973  | Harwich
Relief fleet
Harwich |
D-221  | Unnamed | 1971–1973  | Relief fleet  |
D-222  | Unnamed | 1971–1973  | Relief fleet  |

1. ^ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Leach, Nicholas (December 2009). Harwich Lifeboats: An Illustrated History. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781445623498. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
2. ^ "Avon S650". Avon. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
3. ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 4–132.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to D class lifeboats.

* RNLI Fleet
* RNLI Lifeboats

* v
* t
* e

Classes of Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats

Operational fleet

All-weather lifeboats|

* Mersey
* Severn
* Shannon
* Tamar
* Trent

Inshore lifeboats|

* B-class: Atlantic 85
* D-class: IB1
* E-class: Mark II
* Mark III
* H-class (Hovercraft)

Small inflatables|

* Arancia
* X-class
* XP-class
* Y-class

Historic lifeboats

Pulling and sailing lifeboats|

* Cromer
* Greathead
* Liverpool
* Norfolk and Suffolk
* Palmer
* Peake
* Plenty
* Watson

All-weather motor lifeboats|

| Up to 10 knots|

* 35ft 6in Self-righting
* Barnett
* Harbour
* Liverpool
* Norfolk and Suffolk
* Oakley
* Ramsgate
* Rother
* Solent
* Steam
* Surf
* Watson

|

Above 10 knots|

* Arun
* Brede
* Clyde
* Fast Afloat (1929)
* Thames
* Tyne
* Waveney

Inshore lifeboats|

* A-class: Hatch
* McLachlan
* Boston Whaler
* B-class: Atlantic 21
* Atlantic 75
* C-class: Zodiac IV
* D-class: RFD PB16
* RFD 320
* Avon S650
* Dunlop
* EA16
* Humber
* Zodiac III
* E-class: Mark I

Experimental lifeboats|

* Keith Nelson
* Medina

Royal National Lifeboat Institution
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template