The XP-class lifeboat is a class of small inflatable rescue boat operated by the RNLI of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

XP-class lifeboat
Class overview
NameXP-class
BuildersAvon Inflatables
Operators Royal National Lifeboat Institution
General characteristics
Displacement61 kg (134 lb) without engine [a]
Length2.8 m (9.2 ft)
Beam1.6 m (5.2 ft) [a]
Propulsion
  • Trent : 1 × 5 hp (3.7 kW) outboard engine[1]
  • Broads: 1 × 10 hp (7.5 kW) Mariner engine[2]
Speed
  • Trent: 10 knots (12 mph; 19 km/h)
  • Broads: 25 knots (29 mph; 46 km/h)
RangeTrent: within sight of ALB
EnduranceBroads: 2 hours at top speed
Capacity4 (up to 460 kg or 1,000 lb) [a]
Complement2
  1. ^ a b c (based on Avon Rover R280 RIB specifications)

The XP-class lifeboat is mainly used as a small tender carried onboard RNLI all-weather lifeboats, and is based on the commercially available Avon Rover 280.[3]

It carries a crew of one or two, and is normally found carried on board the Trent-class lifeboat.[4][2] It is used primarily for assisting in cliff incidents where the casualty is near the water, and where rocks prevent the all-weather lifeboat from getting near the base of the cliff.[citation needed]

The XP was also in use at South Broads Lifeboat Station in Suffolk,[2] one of the few RNLI inland waterways lifeboat stations until it closed in 2011, and at Teignmouth Lifeboat Station in Devon, where it is deployed from the larger B-class (Atlantic 85) lifeboat.[citation needed]

Other small boats operated by the RNLI include the Arancia-class beach rescue boats, the X-class and the Y-class lifeboats.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Trent class lifeboat". rnli.org. RNLI. Retrieved 7 May 2021. The Trent lifeboat carries a small XP boat, which is an inflatable daughter boat with a 5hp outboard engine
  2. ^ a b c "South Broads RNLI - XP Class Lifeboat". broadsrnli.org.uk. Archived from the original on 5 January 2009.
  3. ^ "Trent Class Lifeboats". irishlifeboats.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  4. ^ a b "RNLI X+Y Boats". lifeboatsonline.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
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