Current lifeboats

The RNLI has an active fleet of 332 lifeboats, ranging from 5m to 17m in length, and a relief fleet of 112 additional lifeboats. The fleet also includes four active and one relief hovercraft.

Different classes of lifeboat are needed for different places. The class of lifeboat at a particular station depends on the geographical features of the location, the kind of rescue work that the station is asked to do and the cover provided by neighbouring stations. Hovercraft, which were introduced into the RNLI fleet in 2002, have extended the RNLI's ability to carry out its vital rescue work as they can operate in areas such as mud flats or river estuaries that are inaccessible to conventional lifeboats.

Lifeboat classes

RNLI lifeboats can be divided into two categories: all weather lifeboats and inshore lifeboats. RNLI designers and engineers are continually working on developing new classes of lifeboat and making improvements to existing ones. This enables the RNLI to continue to meet the changing needs of the lifeboat service.

Use the right-hand navigation to find out more about a specific class of lifeboat