D-class lifeboat (IB1)


The D-class lifeboats are inflatable boats serving in the UK's RNLI inshore lifeboat fleet. Although they are known as the "IB1" at times, they are the latest development of the D-class lifeboat and as such are mainly referred to as a "D-class".
This class of lifeboat is one of the smallest operated by the RNLI, and they are a common sight at lifeboat stations round the coast. Unlike other members of the ILB fleet, the D-class does not have a rigid hull. All others with the exception of the Arancia, hovercraft and all-weather lifeboat tenders are rigid inflatable boats.
The IB1 normally has a crew of three or four and is primarily used for surfer/swimmer incidents as well as assisting in cliff incidents where the casualty is near the water. The very nature of its work requires a swift response, and the IB1 can normally be afloat very quickly.
As of February 2020 the minimum crew for the IB1 was raised from 2 to 3.

Fleet

Source: