D-class lifeboat (RFD 320)

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.

Class overview
NameD-class (RFD 320)
BuildersRFD
Operators Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Preceded byD-class (RFD PB16)
Succeeded byD-class (RFD PB16)
Built1966–1967
In service1966–1983
Completed6
Retired6
General characteristics
Class and typeRFD 320
Complement2 or 3

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

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

RNLI Fleet

edit
Op. No.[a] Name In service [1] Station Comments
D-77 Unnamed 1967–1980 Boarding Boat (Y1)
D-78 Unnamed 1967–1976 Boarding Boat (Y2)
D-79 Unnamed 1967–1981 Boarding Boat (Y3)
D-80 Unnamed 1967–1983 Boarding Boat (Y4)
D-118 Unnamed 1966–1980 Boarding Boat (Y6)
D-119 Unnamed 1966–1976 Boarding Boat (Y7)
  1. ^ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat.

References

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