C-class lifeboat (Zodiac Grand Raid IV)

Class overview
NameC-class
BuildersZodiac Marine & Pool, France
Operators Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Preceded byD-class (RFD PB16)
Succeeded by
General characteristics
Length17 ft 6 in (5.33 m)
Beam8 ft (2.4 m)
Propulsion2 x 40 hp Mariner outboard engines
Speed>26 knots (30 mph)
Complement4

A C-class lifeboat usually refers to the Zodiac Grand Raid Mark IVs lifeboats, powered by twin 40 hp outboard motors, manufactured by Zodiac Marine & Pool of France, and which were operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

They were initially designated as D-class lifeboats, starting a series of boats numbered from D-500, but this was subsequently changed to C-class, to signify the difference between the twin engine C-class and the single engine D-class.[1]

In 1970, the first lifeboats to be classed as C-class were twin engine RIBs, which were developed to be the Atlantic series lifeboats, and were re-designated B-Class. C-1 was renumbered as B-3, C-2 became B-4 etc.<[1]

The C-class Zodiac Grand Raid IV was replaced by both the D-class (EA16) and the B-class (Atlantic 21) inshore lifeboats.[2]

Fleet

Op. No.[a] Name In service[1] Station Comments
B-3 Unnamed 1970 Littlestone-on-Sea Formerly C-1
1971 Atlantic College
B-4 Unnamed 1971–1974 Helensburgh Formerly C-2
1974–1976 Littlestone-on-Sea
1978 Helensburgh
B-5 Unnamed 1972–1974 Littlestone-on-Sea Formerly C-3
1976–1978 Helensburgh
B-6 Unnamed 1973 Lymington Formerly C-4
1974–1976 Helensburgh
B-7 Unnamed 1974 Helensburgh Formerly C-5
1981–1984 Tynemouth BB
B-8 Unnamed 1975 Poole
1977 Poole
D-500 Unnamed 1972–1974 Trials
1974–1979 Minehead
1979–1981 Relief fleet
D-501 Unnamed – Trials only
C-502 John Gilpin 1973–1975 Trials Formerly D-502
1975–1977 Silloth
1977–1983 Relief fleet
1983–1985 Boarding Boat
1985–1988 Inshore Lifeboat Centre
C-503 Unnamed 1973–1977 Trials Formerly D-503
1977–1979 Silloth
1979–1983 Training fleet
1983–1987 Boarding Boat
C-504 Unnamed 1973–1978 Trials Formerly D-504
1978–1987 Inshore Lifeboat Centre
C-505 Unnamed 1979–1986 St Abbs Formerly D-505
1986–1987 Red Bay
1987 Relief fleet
1987–1989 Clifden
1990 Arran (Lamlash)
C-506 Unnamed 1980–1986 Portaferry Formerly D-506
1987–1988 Arran (Lamlash)
1988–1993 Relief fleet
1993–1997}} Boarding Boat
C-507 Unnamed 1981–1988 Mudeford Formerly D-507
1988–1990 Relief fleet
C-508 The Chris Pirson 1981–1992 Relief fleet Formerly D-508
1992–1996 Boarding Boat
C-509 Oats 1983–1993 Aberystwyth Formerly D-509
1993–1994 Relief fleet
1994–1995 Newquay
1995–1996 Tighnabruaich
1996–1998 Relief fleet
C-510 Unnamed 1983–1991 Criccieth Formerly D-510
1991–1995 Relief fleet
C-511 Unnamed 984–1994 Newquay Formerly D-511
1994–1996 Relief fleet
1996–2008 Boarding Boat
C-512 Unnamed 1984–1991 Cullercoats Formerly D-512
1991–1996 Relief fleet
C-513 Sebag of Jersey 1984–1990 St Catherine
1990–1993 Relief fleet
1993 Criccieth
1993–1996 Relief fleet
1997– Boarding Boat
C-514 Unnamed 1985–1995 Kinghorn
1995–1997 Relief fleet
1997–1998 Clifden
1998 Inshore Lifeboat Centre
C-515 Unnamed 1985–1995 St Bees
1995 Inshore Lifeboat Centre
C-516 Belsize Charitable Trust No.1 1986–1995 St Ives
1995–1996 Relief fleet
C-517 Unnamed 1986–1996 Rye Harbour
1996–1997 Relief fleet
1997–2008 Boarding Boat
C-518 Unnamed 1987–1997 Cardigan
C-519 Thomas Corbett 1987–1995 Red Bay
1995–1996 Relief fleet
1996–1997 Tighnabruaich
C-520 Unnamed 1988–1996 Relief fleet
1996–1999 Boarding Boat
C-521 Prince of Arran 1988–1998 Arran (Lamlash)
C-522 Unnamed 1989–1997 Clifden Private ownership, Clifden, Ireland, August 2024.[3]
1997 Boarding Boat
1998–???? Publicity
C-523 British Diver IV 1990–1991 Relief fleet
1991–1993 Criccieth
1993–1994 Relief fleet
1994–1995 Tighnabruaich
1995–1996 Red Bay
1996–1998 Relief fleet
  1. ^ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2026). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2026. Lifeboats Enthusiasts' Society. p. 84.
  2. ^ Jenkins, David. "Inshore rescue - three miles from the sea!". Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Unsung heroes, brought to you by the letters 'A' and 'C'". RNLI. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
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