TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND LAUNCHES—an average of 1,000 a year and the lives of nearly 11,000 men, women and children saved. This is the proud record of the 16ft (4.88m) D class inflatable lifeboat, preparing to celebrate her silver jubilee in 1988.

Yet there were no fanfares to herald her arrival in May 1963 and few could have guessed that this was truly an historic event for the RNLI. One which would lead to a new breed of small lifeboats, largely pioneered and developed by the RNLI and whose role would be increasingly vital in the saving of lives at sea.

Before the 1960s, only a small number of people could afford yachts or motor boats. Sports like windsurfing were unknown. Those who did sail or cruise were usually capable, experienced sailors. Suddenly, more people began using the sea for leisure purposes.

Whether it was dinghy sailing, diving or using airbeds, many got into difficulties through lack of knowledge and experience. The number of inshore incidents increased dramatically and conventional, slow lifeboats with displacement hulls were hardly the best boats to deal with them. It was clear that a simple, high speed rescue craft was required.

The RNLI bought an inflatable boat, for extensive trials, in 1962. A small delegation also visited France where the Breton Society, already operating similar boats, gave help and advice. The following year it was decided to try out eight inshore rescue boats, as they were then known, during the summer months only at Aberystwyth, Gorleston, Redcar, Wells, Mudeford, Southwold, West Mersea and Whitstable.

The 16ft inflatable lifeboats, made in tough nylon material proofed with neoprene, were driven by a 40hp outboard engine, manned by a crew of two and needed only two other helpers to launch them. Their virtues were their speed of 20 knots, ability to go alongside other craft or persons in the water without causing or suffering damage, quickness of launching, ability to drive onto the beach at speed in an emergency and low running costs.

In their first year the eight inshore rescue boats launched a total of 39 times and saved 10 lives. The following year, 19 more were placed on service and by 1966 the number of inshore rescue boats had risen to 72, of which 32 remained on station all through the year, a proof of their success.

Currently there are 84 D class inflatables on station with 27 operating all year. Although limited to operating in daylight and moderate weather, they carry out at least 34% of all lifeboat work.

The RNLI soon began modifying and developing the inflatable lifeboats, putting in inner tubes to prevent air from leaking out (a most painstaking job).

Floorboards able to take the strain of high speeds were developed and foam rubber mattresses to help safeguard the crews from excessive strain or injury were added.

Because of the pounding the boats gave their crews, an age limit of 45 was imposed and new young recruits were found. The volunteers needed a high degree of skill to handle the inflatables in choppy seas, surf and amongst rocks and frequently showed courage and determination..