In the last issue of the Lifeboat you were updated on the state of the RNLI rescue fleet. But this is not the full picture as it misses out major pieces of RNLI rescue equipment. Some have been around for years, some are new arrivals, but all are proven life savers. Due to requests from the Lifeboat readers, we have also included a list of how much each lifeboat and piece of rescue equipment costs Xboat The X boat is an inflatable daughter boat used on theTyne, Mersey and Trent class lifeboats. It can be deployed from these all weather lifeboats to assist in rescuing casualties in locations inaccessible to the all weather lifeboats*. The X boat is fitted out and refitted at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre, Cowes.

Length: 2.74m Speed: Powered by oars Width: 1.48m Weight: 18kg Range: Powered by oars Crew: 1/2 Construction: Nylon/poly ester coated with hypalon/neoprene Launch: Manual Introduced: 1971 *See page 20 for an example of a life saving service where the X boat was deployed.

XP boat The XP boat is an inflatable daughter boat currently being fitted to Trent class lifeboats in place of the X boat. It has a slatted roll away deck, an inflatable keel and is powered by a 5HP outboard motor, giving an improvement in performance over the X boat. There is also one stationed at South Broads, fitted with a 15HP outboard motor and used for quick responses to remoter parts of the Broads.

Length: 2.81m Speed: 6-8 knots Width: 1.6m Weight: 70kg Range: 1 hour at full speed Crew: 1/2 Construction: Polyester coated with hypalon/neoprene Launch: Manual Introduced: 2001 Yboat TheY boat is an inflatable daughter boat carried by Arun and Severn class lifeboats. Of a similar construction to the D class lifeboat and powered by a 15HP outboard motor it is the most capable of the three daughter boats.

Length: 3,5m Speed: 15-20 knots Width: 1.6m Weight: 196kg Range: 4 hours at full speed Crew: 2/3 Construction: Nylon/polyester coated with hypalon/neoprene Launch: Ramp on Arun; crane on Severn Introduced: 1971Inshore Rescue Boat This is the main piece of equipment that links Beach Rescue with other parts of the RNLI. The Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB), hand-built by Arancia, New Zealand, is powered by a 30 horse power Mariner engine with full propeller guard and is operated by two lifeguards. Worldwide, 600 are currently in use and each boat has a life expectancy of over 10 years.

Length: 3.88m Speed: 26 knots Width: 1.85m Weight: 68kg Range: 2 hours at full speed Crew: 2 Construction: Hull polyester fabric coated hypalon/neoprene Launch: Beach Introduced: 2001 Rescue Watercraft The Rescue Watercraft (RWC) is the rescue version of a Personal Watercraft, commonly known as a jet ski™. With a rescue sled attached, this piece of equipment is set to transform the work of a lifeguard. It is already used to save lives across the world in other lifeguarding/life saving organisations.

With incredible manoeuvrability, an RWC can negotiate almost any conditions. All RWCs are equipped with a foam rescue sled used to transport a casualty safely to the beach.

Length: 3.15m Width: 1.25m Range: 4-5 hours at full speed Construction: Class reinforced plastic Launch: Beach Speed: 48 knots Weight: 245kg Crew: 1-2 Introduced: 2002 Trent £1,240,000 Severn £1,890,000 Inshore lifeboats D class £20,000 Hovercraft £135,000 Atlantic 75 £100,000 Rescue equipment X boat £970 Y boat £5,500 1RB (with trailer) RWC (with trailer and sled) XPboat £8,000 £8,400 £2,600 We do not have current costs for other classes of lifeboats as they are not currently being built.In the last issue of the Lifeboat we wrote that the maximum speed of a D class lifeboat is 20 knots.

We are pleased to report that the replacement for the D class has a top speed of 25 knots..