XP-class lifeboat

The XP-class lifeboat is a class of small inflatable rescue boat operated by the RNLI of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

XP-class lifeboat
Class overview
Name	XP-class
Builders	Avon Inflatables
Operators	Royal National Lifeboat Institution
General characteristics
Displacement	70 kg (150 lb) without engine
Length	2.81 m (9.2 ft)
Beam	1.6 m (5.2 ft)
Propulsion	Trent : 1 × 5 hp (3.7 kW) outboard engine[1] Broads: 1 × 10 hp (7.5 kW) Mariner engine[2]
Speed	Trent: 6 knots (6.9 mph; 11 km/h) Broads: 24 knots (28 mph; 44 km/h)
Range	Trent: within sight of ALB
Endurance	Broads: 2 hours at top speed
Capacity	4 (up to 460 kg or 1,000 lb) [a]
Complement	1–2
(based on Avon Rover R280 RIB specifications)

Other small boats operated by the RNLI include the Arancia-class beach rescue boats, the X-class and the Y-class lifeboats.^[3]

History

The XP-class boat was a commercially available small inflatable boat, the Avon Rover 200, for use as a tender with larger vessels, and manufactured by Avon in based in Dafen, Carmarthenshire, Wales.

The craft was acquired by the RNLI, primarily for service as a daughter boat for the Trent-class All-weather lifeboats, to be used in areas inaccessible to the much larger Trent-class.^[1][4]

One XP-class (XP-32) was also operated as a daughter boat for the Teignmouth Atlantic 85-class.^[5]

XP-32 was also in use at South Broads Lifeboat Station in Suffolk. The XP was carried on a purpose built rack on the back of a Ford Ranger crew cab pickup, with the engine and all gear stowed in the load bed. On arrival on scene at any launch site withing the 120-mile operating area of the station, the boat could be unpacked and launched within four minutes. On evaluation tests, it was found that with the engine tilted up, it could operate in water depths of just 2 in (51 mm). The South Broads boat had a 15-hp engine, delivering over 20 knots. South Broads closed in 2011.^[2]

Specification

Operated by one or two crew members, the XP boat was usually equipped with a 5-hp outboard engine, giving a top speed of 6–8 knots. The boat weighed 70kg, and required inflation before use. It was constructed of hypalon/neoprene coated polyester, and featured a slatted roll-away deck.^[6]

XP fleet list

Op. No.[a]	Station	Host ALB[3]	Comments
XP-02	Red Bay	14-32 Corinne Whiteley
XP-05	Alderney	14-04 Roy Barker I (retired)	retired
XP-09	Fraserburgh	14-34 Willie & May Gall
XP-10	Eastbourne	14-02 Esme Anderson
XP-11	Sold	-	Sold
XP-14	Fenit	14-27 Robert Hywel Jones Williams
XP-15	Sold	-	Sold
XP-16	Dún Laoghaire	14-05 Anna Livia
XP-17	Donaghadee	14-36 Saxon (retired)	Retired
XP-18	Sold	-	Sold
XP-19	Howth	14-33 Roy Barker III
XP-24	Fishguard	14-03 Blue Peter VII
XP-25	Sold	-	Sold
XP-27	Achill Island	14-28 Sam and Ada Moody
XP-28	Port St Mary	14-15 Henry Heys Duckworth
XP-30	Retired	14-26 Gough Ritchie II	Retired
XP-32	Teignmouth	B-809 The Two Annes	Relief fleet
XP-32	Relief fleet	14-18 Maurice and Joyce Hardy	Relief fleet
XP-33	Great Yarmouth and Gorleston	14-10 Samarbeta
XP-34	Arklow	14-19 Ger Tigchelaar (retired)	Retired
XP-35	Portree	14-16 Stanley Watson Barker
XP-38	Relief fleet	-	Relief fleet
XP-40	Sold	-	Sold
XP-41	Relief fleet	-	Relief fleet
XP-42	South Broads	Retired	Retired 2008
XP-45	South Broads	Retired	Retired 2011
XP-46	Relief fleet	14-17 Elizabeth and Ronald	Relief fleet
XP-49	Sold	-	Sold
XP-50	Alderney	14-29 Inner Wheel II
XP-51	Douglas	14-37 Betty Huntbatch

1. Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.