Y-class lifeboat

Y-class lifeboat deployed from Severn-class All-weather lifeboat
Class overview
Name	Y-class
Operators	Royal National Lifeboat Institution
General characteristics
Length	3 m (9.8 ft)
Propulsion	1 × 15 hp (11 kW) outboard engine [1]
Speed	25 knots (29 mph; 46 km/h)
Range	Within visual range of ALB
Complement	2

The Y-class lifeboat is a class of small inflatable rescue boat, operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) 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. They were originally carried aboard the Arun-class lifeboats, but are now normally found on the Severn-class and Tamar-class lifeboats. They are also used as part of the RNLI's flood rescue team. ^[2]

The lifeboat is powered by a single 15-hp outboard engine. It usually carries a crew of two and is primarily used for incidents where the casualty is near or on the shore, and where the larger All-weather lifeboat cannot get close in due to rocks or water depth. ^{[1] [2]}

Other small boats operated by the RNLI include the Arancia-class beach rescue boats, the X-class and the XP-class lifeboats. ^[3]

Historical fleet information is correct with reference to the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbooks 2004–2024. Latest information is referenced to the 2025 handbook. ^[4]

Launching

Y-class boat aboard a Tamar-class lifeboat

The Y-class lifeboat can be launched from a Severn-class All-weather lifeboat using the integral crane, or manually, depending on the fit-out of the Severn lifeboat. ^[1]

On the Tamar-class All-weather lifeboat, the Y-class boat is housed in a built-in recessed chamber, within the stern section of the Tamar-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. ^[5]

Y-class fleet

Op. No. [a]	Host All-weather Lifeboat [4]	Station	Dates	Comments
Y-87	17-07 John and Margaret Doig	Valentia	2010
Y-94	17-12 Edna Windsor	Barra Island	2010
Y-96	52-38 City of Glasgow III	Troon	2004
Y-96	17-09 City of London II	Dover	2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-108	47-036 Kenneth Thelwall II	Walton and Frinton	2009, 2010
Y-113	17-19 Ernest and Mary Shaw	Campbeltown	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-114	52-39 Mickie Salvensen	Barry Dock	2005, 2006
Y-122	17-15 Bryan and Gordon	Ballyglass	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-128	17-06 David Kirkaldy	Aran Islands	2009, 2010
Y-131	17-10 Michael and Jane Vernon	Lerwick	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-132	17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)	Yarmouth (IOW)	2009, 2010
Y-135	17-03 Albert Brown	Harwich	2009
Y-136	17-08 Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II	Islay	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-136	17-18 Tom Sanderson	Stornoway	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-137	52-45 Donald and Barbara Broadhead	Rosslare Harbour	2004
Y-137	17-26 Henry Alston Hewat	Mallaig	2010
Y-137	17-16 Violet Dorothy and Kathleen	Stromness	2012
Y-139	17-14 Charles Lidbury	Aith	2009, 2010
Y-142	17-13 Margaret Foster	Kirkwall	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-142	17-36 Ivan Ellen	Penlee	2010
Y-142	17-28 Alec and Christina Dykes	Torbay	2012
Y-143	17-11 The Whiteheads	St Mary's	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-143	17-24 Bon Accord	Aberdeen	2009
Y-145	17-26 Henry Alston Hewat	Mallaig	2009
Y-147	52-43 The Queen Mother	Thurso	2004
Y-149	17-15 Bryan and Gordon	Ballyglass	2009, 2010, 2012
Y-152	17-16 Violet Dorothy and Kathleen	Stromness	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-152	17-08 Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II	Islay	2009, 2010
Y-153	17-13 Margaret Foster	Kirkwall	2009, 2010, 2012
Y-154	17-12 Edna Windsor	Barra Island	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Y-156	17-28 Alec and Christina Dykes	Torbay	2009, 2010
Y-157	17-30 William Gordon Burr	Portrush	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-157	17-22 Myrtle Maud	Arranmore	2010, 2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-160	16-05 Helen Comrie	Longhope	2009
Y-162	17-21 David and Elizabeth Acland	Newhaven	2009
Y-163	17-03 Albert Brown	Harwich	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-163	17-20 Spirit of Northumberland	Tynemouth	2009, 2010
Y-164	17-24 Bon Accord	Aberdeen	2010, 2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-165	52-36 Roy and Barbara Harding	Castletownbere	2004
Y-166	17-20 Spirit of Northumberland	Tynemouth	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-166	17-42 The Taylors	Thurso	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-167	17-16 Violet Dorothy and Kathleen	Stromness	2009, 2010, 2021, 2023, 2025
Y-168	17-37 William Blannin	Buckie	2010
Y-168	17-43 Donald and Barbara Broadhead	Rosslare Harbour	2023, 2024, 2025
Y-169	17-14 Charles Lidbury	Aith	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-169	17-11 The Whiteheads	St Mary's	2009, 2010, 2012, 2021, 2023
Y-170	17-10 Michael and Jane Vernon	Lerwick	2009, 2010, 2012
Y-171	17-32 Ernest and Mabel	Weymouth	2009, 2010, 2012, 2021, 2023
Y-173	17-22 Myrtle Maud	Arranmore	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Y-174	17-05 Pride of the Humber	Humber	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-174	17-04 Spirit of Guernsey	St Peter Port	2009, 2012
Y-174	17-39 Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey	Tobermory	2010
Y-174	17-03 Albert Brown	Harwich	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-175	17-24 Bon Accord	Aberdeen	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-175	17-05 Pride of the Humber	Humber	2009, 2010, 2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-176	17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)	Yarmouth (IOW)	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-176	17-40 Julian and Margaret Leonard	Lochinver	2009, 2010, 2012, 2021, 2024, 2025
Y-177	17-26 Henry Alston Hewat	Mallaig	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-177	17-37 William Blannin	Buckie	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-178	17-07 John and Margaret Doig	Valentia	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Y-178	17-09 City of London II	Dover	2021
Y-178	16-09 Baltic Exchange III	Salcombe	2024, 2025
Y-179	17-09 City of London II	Dover	2009, 2010, 2012
Y-179	16-19 Irene Muriel Rees	Walton and Frinton	2023
Y-180	17-30 William Gordon Burr	Portrush	2009
Y-180	17-28 Alec and Christina Dykes	Torbay	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-180	17-18 Tom Sanderson	Stornoway	2009
Y-180	17-42 The Taylors	Thurso	2010
Y-181	17-29 Richard Cox Scott	Falmouth	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-181	17-44 Annette Hutton	Castletownbere	2009
Y-181	17-35 Sybil Mullen Glover	Plymouth	2010, 2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-182	52-28 Sir Max Aitken II	Longhope	2004
Y-182	17-39 Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey	Tobermory	2009
Y-183	17-43 Donald and Barbara Broadhead	Rosslare Harbour	2012
Y-184	17-30 William Gordon Burr	Portrush	2010, 2012
Y-185	17-32 Ernest and Mabel	Weymouth	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-185	17-04 Spirit of Guernsey	St Peter Port	2010, 2021, 2023, 2024
Y-186	17-18 Tom Sanderson	Stornoway	2010, 2012
Y-186	17-28 Alec and Christina Dykes	Torbay
Y-187	17-06 David Kirkaldy	Aran Islands	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-187	17-42 The Taylors	Thurso	2009, 2012
Y-187	17-18 Tom Sanderson	Stornoway	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-188	17-35 Sybil Mullen Glover	Plymouth	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Y-188	17-21 David and Elizabeth Acland	Newhaven	2021
Y-188	16-16 Molly Hunt	Appledore	2025
Y-189	17-37 William Blannin	Buckie	2009
Y-189	17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)	Yarmouth (IOW)	2023, 2024
Y-189	17-04 Spirit of Guernsey	St Peter Port	2025
Y-189	–	Diverse Marine Ltd
Y-190	17-36 Ivan Ellen	Penlee	2009, 2012, 2021
Y-191	17-44 Annette Hutton	Castletownbere	2010, 2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-192	17-39 Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey	Tobermory	2012
Y-192	–	Yarmouth (IOW)		Spare not stored on any boat
Y-193	17-29 Richard Cox Scott	Falmouth	2009
Y-193	17-20 Spirit of Northumberland	Tynemouth	2021
Y-194	17-41 Christopher Pearce	Holyhead	2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-195	17-19 Ernest and Mary Shaw	Campbeltown	2009, 2010, 2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-196	17-29 Richard Cox Scott	Falmouth Relief fleet	2010, 2012
Y-196	16-02 Haydn Miller	Tenby	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-197	17-43 Donald and Barbara Broadhead	Rosslare Harbour	2009, 2010, 2021
Y-198	17-03 Albert Brown	Harwich	2010
Y-199	17-35 Sybil Mullen Glover	Plymouth	2009
Y-199	17-21 David and Elizabeth Acland	Newhaven	2010, 2012
Y-200	16-05 Helen Comrie	Longhope	2010, 2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-201	16-04 Spirit of Padstow	Padstow	2012
Y-201	17-40 Julian and Margaret Leonard	Lochinver	2023
Y-201	17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)	Yarmouth (IOW)	2025
Y-202	16-02 Haydn Miller	Tenby	2008, 2009
Y-202	17-14 Charles Lidbury	Aith	2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-203	16-03 The Misses Robertson of Kintail	Peterhead	2009, 2010
Y-203	16-02 Haydn Miller	Tenby	2010, 2012
Y-203	16-11 Mark Mason	Angle	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-204	16-04 Spirit of Padstow	Padstow	2008, 2009, 2010
Y-204	16-03 The Misses Robertson of Kintail	Peterhead	2012
Y-204	17-39 Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey	Tobermory	2021
Y-204	17-21 David and Elizabeth Acland	Newhaven	2023, 2024, 2025
Y-205	16-05 Helen Comrie	Longhope	2007, 2008
Y-205	17-09 City of London II	Dover	2024, 2025
Y-206	17-34 Osier	Tynemouth	2023, 2024, 2025
Y-207	16-07 Lester	Cromer	2009, 2010, 2012
Y-207	17-36 Ivan Ellen	Penlee	2023, 2024, 2025
Y-208	16-08 Grace Dixon	Barrow	2009, 2010, 2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-209	16-09 Baltic Exchange III	Salcombe	2009, 2010, 2012, 2021, 2023
Y-209	17-11 The Whiteheads	St Mary's	2024, 2025
Y-210	16-10 Edward and Barbara Prigmore	Sennen Cove	2010
Y-210	17-03 Albert Brown	Harwich	2012
Y-210	–	Scotland Regional Base
Y-211	16-11 Mark Mason	Angle	2010, 2012
Y-211	17-29 Richard Cox Scott	Falmouth	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-212	16-12 George Sullivan	St Helier	2010
Y-212	16-04 Spirit of Padstow	Padstow	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-213	16-14 City of London III	Sennen Cove	2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-214	–	Falmouth Boat Co
Y-215	16-16 Molly Hunt	Appledore	2012, 2021, 2023, 2024
Y-216	16-18 Killarney	Kilmore Quay	2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-217	16-17 Alfred Albert Williams	Bembridge	2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-218	16-15 Enid Collett	Shoreham Harbour	2012, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-219	16-19 Irene Muriel Rees	Walton and Frinton	2012
Y-219	16-12 George Sullivan	St Helier	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-220	17-26 Henry Alston Hewat	Mallaig	2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-221	17-08 Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II	Islay	2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-222	17-13 Margaret Foster	Kirkwall	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-223	17-07 John and Margaret Doig	Valentia	2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-224	17-06 David Kirkaldy	Aran Islands	2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-225	17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)	Yarmouth (IOW)	2012
Y-227	17-12 Edna Windsor	Barra Island	2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-228	17-20 Spirit of Northumberland	Tynemouth	2012
Y-228	17-10 Michael and Jane Vernon	Lerwick	2021, 2023, 2025
Y-229	17-15 Bryan and Gordon	Ballyglass	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-230	17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)	Yarmouth (IOW)	2021
Y-230	17-24 Bon Accord	Aberdeen
Y-231	16-03 The Misses Robertson of Kintail	Peterhead	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-232	17-09 City of London II	Dover	2023
Y-232	17-04 Spirit of Guernsey	St Peter Port
Y-233	16-19 Irene Muriel Rees	Walton and Frinton	2021
Y-233	16-15 Enid Collett	Shoreham Harbour	2021
Y-233	–	Lowestoft Haven Marina
Y-234	17-37 William Blannin	Buckie	2012
Y-234	16-07 Lester	Cromer	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-235	17-16 Violet Dorothy and Kathleen	Stromness	2024
Y-235	–	Relief fleet
Y-236	17-39 Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey	Tobermory	2023, 2024, 2025
Y-237	17-32 Ernest and Mabel	Weymouth	2024, 2025
Y-238	17-30 William Gordon Burr	Portrush	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-239	16-24 John D Spicer	Porthdinllaen	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-240	16-23 Diamond Jubilee	Eastbourne	2021, 2023
Y-240	16-23 Diamond Jubilee	Ramsgate	2024, 2025
Y-241	16-25 Kiwi	Moelfre	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-242	16-20 Rose	The Lizard	2012, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-243	16-21 John Buchanan Barr	Portpatrick	2012, 2021, 2023, 2024
Y-244	16-22 Alan Massey	Baltimore	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-245	16-26 Norah Wortley	St Davids	2021, 2025
Y-246	17-28 Alec and Christina Dykes	Torbay	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Y-247	16-27 Roy Barker IV	The Mumbles	2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
–	16-01 Peter and Lesley-Jane Nicholson	Relief fleet
–	16-06 Frank and Anne Wilkinson	Relief fleet
–	16-10 Edward and Barbara Prigmore	Relief fleet
–	16-13 Victor Freeman	Relief fleet
–	17-17 Fraser Flyer (Civil Service No.43)	Relief fleet
–	17-27 Volunteer Spirit	Relief fleet
–	17-31 Roger and Joy Freeman	Relief fleet
–	17-33 Beth Sell	Relief fleet
–	17-38 Daniel L Gibson	Relief fleet
–	17-45 The Duke of Kent	Relief fleet
–	17-46 Margaret Joan and Fred Nye	Relief fleet

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

References

1. "Lifesaving features". Severn class lifeboat. RNLI. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
2. "X, XP and Y-class lifeboats". Irish Lifeboats. Irish Lifeboats. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
3. "Inshore Lifeboat Centre". Inflatable Boats. RNLI. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
4. Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2025). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 127–133.
5. "Lifesaving features". Tamar class lifeboat. RNLI. Retrieved 9 August 2025.