Dear Editor

I read the Winter 2008–9 account of the opening of Dart station with interest but some confusion.

The appeal was for £259,000 but a D class lifeboat costs £31,000 – why was the target so high? And why does a D class cost that much anyway? To me, a four-stroke engine would not be over £5,000 and the hull £10,000. How does it get to £31,000 even with spare oars, a radio and rescue equipment?

I should be most grateful if you could satisfy this supporter’s interest .

Yours faithfully WJ Howard Kibworth Harcour t, Leicestershire

David Hannah, responsible for the Dart appeal, explains the background:

‘The £259,000 included the following: the wooden boathouse (purchase, manufacture off site, assembly on site, ground works, mechanical and electrical work, fitting out), the lifeboat, trailer, tractor and fuel bins, and clothing and equipment for 25 volunteers. The excess funds raised through the appeal will be used to offset annual running costs and training.’

Glyn Ellis, of the RNLI’s Inshore Lifeboat centre, which builds the charity’s B and D class lifeboats, adds:

‘The D class cannot be compared with a standard commercially available pleasure inflatable as it has been specially designed and built to withstand a harsh environment at a high level of performance while keeping our volunteers safe.

‘For example, the engine has a unique system to allow it to be restarted after capsize and righting. The sponson and floor fabric is a minimum-stretch material to ensure shape is maintained longer. The forward pod alone costs £11,000 and houses the anchor gear, battery, navigation electronics and first aid equipment. It is made of composite over a honeycomb alloy core to ensure it is lightweight but strong enough to withstand the enormous impacts it will be put through. The two flexible fuel tanks are specially made to ensure the safety of the crew. The internal mattress protects the crew’s knees and, in a capsize, will float as a liferaft …

‘However we are always looking to reduce our costs, without reducing the performance of the craft. As a result of new "lean manufacturing" processes we can now build a D class in 2 weeks instead of 8.’