D-class lifeboat (Avon S650)

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Class overview
NameD-class (Avon S650)
Builders Avon Inflatables
Operators Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Preceded by D-class (RFD PB16)
Succeeded by D-class (Zodiac III)
Built1971
In service1971–1978
Completed4
Retired4
General characteristics
Class and typeAvon S650
Length5 m (16 ft)
Beam2 m (6.6 ft)
Propulsion1 × 40 hp Evinrude outboard engine
Speed20 knots (23 mph; 37 km/h)
Endurance3 hours at full speed
Capacity10

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 It was superseded by the D-class lifeboat (Zodiac III).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]

Contents

Utilization

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

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

Op. No. [lower-alpha 1] NameIn service [3] Principal StationComments
D-200Unnamed1971–1976
1976–1978		 Walmer
Relief fleet
D-201Unnamed1971
1971–1973
1973		 Harwich
Relief fleet
Harwich
D-221Unnamed1971–1973Relief fleet
D-222Unnamed1971–1973Relief fleet
  1. ↑ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

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References

  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.
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