Y-class lifeboat
The Y-class lifeboat is a class of small inflatable rescue boat operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
 Y-Class boat aboard a Tamar-class lifeboat | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Y-class |
| Operators: |
 Royal National Lifeboat Institution |
| General characteristics | |
| Length: | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Propulsion: | 1 × 15 hp (11 kW) Mariner outboard engine |
| Speed: | 25 knots (29 mph) |
| Range: | Within visual range of ALB |
| Complement: | 2 |
The Y-class is mainly used as a small tender carried on board the larger RNLI all-weather lifeboats that serve the shores of the UK, and is normally found on the Severn-class and Tamar-class lifeboats, the Arun-class having been retired. They are also used as part of the RNLI's flood rescue team.
When in use, it carries up to a crew of two and is primarily used in cliff incidents where the casualty is near the shore and the all-weather lifeboat cannot safely get to the base of the cliffs due to rocks.
Launching from the Tamar-class
Within the stern section of the Tamar-class lifeboat is a built-in recessed chamber which houses the small inflatable Y-class lifeboat. Access to this inflatable tender is achieved by lifting a section of deck and lowering a transom which doubles as a ramp. This allows the tender to be easily launched and recovered.
Other small boats operated by the RNLI include the Arancia-class beach rescue boats, the X-class and the XP-class lifeboats.