D-class lifeboat (RFD 320)

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Class overview
NameD-class (RFD 320)
Builders RFD
Operators Flag of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.svg Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Preceded by D-class (RFD PB16)
Succeeded by D-class (RFD PB16)
Built1966–1967
In service1966–1983
Completed6
Retired6
General characteristics
Class and typeRFD 320
Complement2 or 3

The D-class (RFD 320) lifeboat is a class of inflatable boat operated between 1967 and 1983 by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Contents

They were manufactured by R.F.D. Co.Ltd of Gadalming, Surrey, a company founded by engineer Reginald Foster Dagnall. Over time, RFD became a synonym for "Rapid Flotation Devices".

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 six D-class (RFD 320) boats in the RNLI Fleet, and all were utilised as Boarding Boats.

RNLI Fleet

Op. No. [lower-alpha 1] NameIn service [1] StationComments
D-77Unnamed1967–1980Boarding Boat (Y1)
D-78Unnamed1967–1976Boarding Boat (Y2)
D-79Unnamed1967–1981Boarding Boat (Y3)
D-80Unnamed1967–1983Boarding Boat (Y4)
D-118Unnamed1966–1980Boarding Boat (Y6)
D-119Unnamed1966–1976Boarding Boat (Y7)
  1. ↑ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat.

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References

  1. ↑ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 72–78.
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