The Y-class lifeboat is a class of small
inflatable rescue boat operated by the
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is the largest of the lifeboat (rescue), lifeboat services operating around the coasts of the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, as well as on s ...
of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
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 and
Tamar-class lifeboats, the
Arun-class having been retired.
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.
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.
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
External links
RNLI Fleet
Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats
Inflatable boats
{{ship-type-stub