Y-class lifeboat

	Y-class lifeboat deployed from Severn-class All-weather 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) outboard engine
Speed	25 knots (29 mph; 46 km/h)
Range	Within visual range of ALB
Complement	2

The Y-class lifeboat is a class of small inflatable rescue boat, operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The Y-class is mainly used as a small tender carried on board the larger RNLI All-weather lifeboats. They were originally carried aboard the Arun-class lifeboats, but are now normally found on the Severn-class and Tamar-class lifeboats. They are also used as part of the RNLI's flood rescue team.^[2]

The lifeboat is powered by a single 15-hp outboard engine. It usually carries a crew of two and is primarily used for incidents where the casualty is near or on the shore, and where the larger All-weather lifeboat cannot get close in due to rocks or water depth.^[1]^[2]

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

All of the following fleet details are referenced to the 2004–2026 Lifeboat Enthusiast Society Handbooks, with information retrieved directly from RNLI records.^[4]

Launching

The Y-class lifeboat can be launched from a Severn-class All-weather lifeboat using the integral crane, or manually, depending on the fit-out of the Severn lifeboat.^[1]

On the Tamar-class All-weather lifeboat, the Y-class boat is housed in a built-in recessed chamber, within the stern section of the Tamar-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.^[5]

Y-class fleet

Op. No.^[a]	Host Lifeboat^[4]	Station	In service^[4]	Comments
Y-87	17-07 John and Margaret Doig	Valentia	2009
Y-94	17-12 Edna Windsor	Barra Island	2009
Y-96	52-38 City of Glasgow III	Troon	2003
Y-96	17-09 City of London II	Dover	2004–2007
Y-108	47-036 Kenneth Thelwall II	Walton and Frinton	2008–2009
Y-113	17-19 Ernest and Mary Shaw	Campbeltown	2003–2007
Y-114	52-39 Mickie Salvesen	Barry Dock	2004–2005
Y-122	17-15 Bryan and Gordon	Ballyglass	2003–2007
Y-128	17-06 David Kirkaldy	Aran Islands	2008–2009
Y-131	17-10 Michael and Jane Vernon	Lerwick	2003–2007
Y-132	17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)	Yarmouth (IOW)	2008–2009
Y-132	17-03 Albert Brown	Harwich	2010
Y-135	17-03 Albert Brown	Harwich	2008
Y-136*	17-08 Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II	Islay	2003–2007
Y-136*	17-18 Tom Sanderson	Stornoway	2003–2007
Y-137	52-45 Donald and Barbara Broadhead	Rosslare Harbour	2003
Y-137	17-26 Henry Alston Hewat	Mallaig	2009
Y-137	17-16 Violet Dorothy and Kathleen	Stromness	2010–2011
Y-139	17-14 Charles Lidbury	Aith	2008–2009
Y-141	17-04 Spirit of Guernsey	St Peter Port	2010
Y-142	17-13 Margaret Foster	Kirkwall	2003–2007
Y-142	17-36 Ivan Ellen	Penlee	2009
Y-142	17-28 Alec and Christina Dykes	Torbay	2010–2011
Y-143	17-11 The Whiteheads	St Mary's	2003–2007
Y-143	17-24 Bon Accord	Aberdeen	2008
Y-143	17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)	Yarmouth (IOW)	2010
Y-145	17-26 Henry Alston Hewat	Mallaig	2008
Y-147	52-43 The Queen Mother	Thurso	2003
Y-149	17-15 Bryan and Gordon	Ballyglass	2008–2011
Y-152	17-16 Violet Dorothy and Kathleen	Stromness	2003–2007
Y-152	17-08 Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II	Islay	2008–2009
Y-153	17-13 Margaret Foster	Kirkwall	2008–2011
Y-154	17-12 Edna Windsor	Barra Island	2003–2008
Y-156	17-28 Alec and Christina Dykes	Torbay	2008–2009
Y-157	17-30 William Gordon Burr	Portrush	2003–2007
Y-157	17-22 Myrtle Maud	Arranmore	2009–
Y-160	16-05 Helen Comrie	Longhope	2008
Y-162	17-21 David and Elizabeth Acland	Newhaven	2008
Y-163	17-03 Albert Brown	Harwich	2003–2007
Y-163	17-20 Spirit of Northumberland	Tynemouth	2008–2010
Y-164	17-24 Bon Accord	Aberdeen	2009–2024
Y-165	52-36 Roy and Barbara Harding	Castletownbere	2003
Y-166	17-20 Spirit of Northumberland	Tynemouth	2003–2007
Y-166	17-42 The Taylors	Thurso	2014–
Y-167	17-16 Violet Dorothy and Kathleen	Stromness	2008–2009 2012–2022 2024–
Y-168	17-37 William Blannin	Buckie	2009–2010
Y-168	17-09 City of London II	Dover	2014
Y-168	17-43 Donald and Barbara Broadhead	Rosslare Harbour	2021–
Y-169	17-14 Charles Lidbury	Aith	2003–2007
Y-169	17-11 The Whiteheads	St Mary's	2008–2022
Y-170	17-10 Michael and Jane Vernon	Lerwick	2008–2015
Y-170	16-11 Mark Mason	Angle	2016–2019
Y-171	17-32 Ernest and Mabel	Weymouth	2008–2013 2015–2022
Y-173	17-22 Myrtle Maud	Arranmore	2003–2008
Y-174	17-05 Pride of the Humber	Humber	2003–2007
Y-174	17-04 Spirit of Guernsey	St Peter Port	2008, 2011
Y-174	17-39 Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey	Tobermory	2009
Y-174	17-09 City of London II	Dover	2010
Y-174	17-21 David and Elizabeth Acland	Newhaven	2012
Y-174	17-03 Albert Brown	Harwich	2019–
Y-175	17-24 Bon Accord	Aberdeen	2003–2007
Y-175	17-05 Pride of the Humber	Humber	2008–
Y-176	17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)	Yarmouth (IOW)	2003–2007
Y-176	17-40 Julian and Margaret Leonard	Lochinver	2008–2011 2013–2021 2023–
Y-177	17-26 Henry Alston Hewat	Mallaig	2003–2007
Y-177	17-32 Ernest and Mabel	Weymouth	2014
Y-177	17-28 Alec and Christina Dykes	Torbay	2017
Y-177	17-37 William Blannin	Buckie	2019–
Y-178	17-07 John and Margaret Doig	Valentia	2003–2008
Y-178	17-09 City of London II	Dover	2015–2021
Y-178	16-09 Baltic Exchange III	Salcombe	2023–
Y-179	17-09 City of London II	Dover	2008–2009 2011–2013
Y-179	16-19 Irene Muriel Rees	Walton and Frinton	2022–2023
Y-180	17-28 Alec and Christina Dykes	Torbay	2003–2007
Y-180*	17-30 William Gordon Burr	Portrush	2008
Y-180*	17-18 Tom Sanderson	Stornoway	2008
Y-180	17-42 The Taylors	Thurso	2009
Y-181	17-29 Richard Cox Scott	Falmouth	2003–2007
Y-181	17-44 Annette Hutton	Castletownbere	2008
Y-181	17-35 Sybil Mullen Glover	Plymouth	2009–
Y-182	52-28 Sir Max Aitken II	Longhope	2003
Y-182	17-39 Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey	Tobermory	2008
Y-183	17-43 Donald and Barbara Broadhead	Rosslare Harbour	2011–2012
Y-184	17-30 William Gordon Burr	Portrush	2009–2011
Y-185	17-32 Ernest and Mabel	Weymouth	2003–2007
Y-185	17-04 Spirit of Guernsey	St Peter Port	2009 2012–2023
Y-186	17-18 Tom Sanderson	Stornoway	2009–2014
Y-187	17-06 David Kirkaldy	Aran Islands	2003–2007
Y-187	17-42 The Taylors	Thurso	2004–2008 2010–2013
Y-187	17-18 Tom Sanderson	Stornoway	2015–
Y-188	17-35 Sybil Mullen Glover	Plymouth	2003–2007
Y-188	17-21 David and Elizabeth Acland	Newhaven	2020–2021
Y-188	16-16 Molly Hunt	Appledore	2024
Y-188	16-17 Alfred Albert Williams	Bembridge	2025
Y-189	17-37 William Blannin	Buckie	2016
Y-189	17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)	Yarmouth (IOW)	2022–2023
Y-189	–	Diverse Marine Ltd
Y-189	17-04 Spirit of Guernsey	St Peter Port	2024–
Y-190	17-36 Ivan Ellen	Penlee	2008 2010–2015 2017–2021
Y-190	17-10 Michael and Jane Vernon	Lerwick	2016–2017
Y-191	17-44 Annette Hutton	Castletownbere	2009–
Y-192	17-39 Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey	Tobermory	2010–2014
Y-192	–	Yarmouth (IOW)		Spare not stored on any boat
Y-193	17-29 Richard Cox Scott	Falmouth	2008
Y-193	17-20 Spirit of Northumberland	Tynemouth	2016–2020
Y-194	17-41 Christopher Pearce	Holyhead	2004–2024
Y-195	17-19 Ernest and Mary Shaw	Campbeltown	2008–
Y-196	17-29 Richard Cox Scott	Falmouth	2009–2015
Y-196	16-02 Haydn Miller	Tenby	2018–
Y-197	17-43 Donald and Barbara Broadhead	Rosslare Harbour	2008–2010 2019–2020
Y-198	17-03 Albert Brown	Harwich	2009
Y-198	16-11 Mark Mason	Angle	2025–
Y-199	17-35 Sybil Mullen Glover	Plymouth	2008
Y-199	17-21 David and Elizabeth Acland	Newhaven	2009–2011
Y-199	17-10 Michael and Jane Vernon	Lerwick	2018
Y-200	16-05 Helen Comrie	Longhope	2009–
Y-201	16-04 Spirit of Padstow	Padstow	2009–2018
Y-201	17-40 Julian and Margaret Leonard	Lochinver	2022
Y-201	17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)	Yarmouth (IOW)	2024–
Y-202	16-02 Haydn Miller	Tenby	2007–2008
Y-202	17-14 Charles Lidbury	Aith	2010–
Y-203	16-03 The Misses Robertson of Kintail	Peterhead	2006–2008
Y-203	16-02 Haydn Miller	Tenby	2009–2017
Y-203	16-11 Mark Mason	Angle	2020–2024
Y-204	16-04 Spirit of Padstow	Padstow	2007–2008
Y-204	16-03 The Misses Robertson of Kintail	Peterhead	2009–2011
Y-204	17-21 David and Elizabeth Acland	Newhaven	2013 2022–
Y-204	17-39 Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey	Tobermory	2015–2021
Y-205	16-05 Helen Comrie	Longhope	2006–2007
Y-205	16-03 The Misses Robertson of Kintail	Peterhead	2012–2018
Y-205	17-09 City of London II	Dover	2023–
Y-206	17-10 Michael and Jane Vernon	Lerwick	2019
Y-206	17-34 Osier	Tynemouth	2021–
Y-207*	16-07 Lester	Cromer	2008–2019
Y-207*	17-21 David and Elizabeth Acland	Newhaven	2019
Y-207	17-36 Ivan Ellen	Penlee	2022–
Y-208	16-08 Grace Dixon	Barrow	2008–
Y-209	16-09 Baltic Exchange III	Salcombe	2008–2011 2013–2022
Y-209	17-11 The Whiteheads	St Mary's	2023–
Y-210	16-10 Edward and Barbara Prigmore	Sennen Cove	2009
Y-210	17-03 Albert Brown	Harwich	2011–2018
Y-210	17-13 Margaret Foster	Kirkwall	2025–
Y-211	16-11 Mark Mason	Angle	2009–2015
Y-211	17-29 Richard Cox Scott	Falmouth	2019–2024
Y-212	16-12 George Sullivan	St Helier	2009–2018
Y-212	16-04 Spirit of Padstow	Padstow	2019–
Y-213	16-14 City of London III	Sennen Cove	2010–
Y-214	–	Falmouth Boat Co
Y-215	16-16 Molly Hunt	Appledore	2010–2023
Y-216	16-18 Killarney	Kilmore Quay	2010–2013 2015–
Y-217	16-17 Alfred Albert Williams	Bembridge	2010–2024
Y-218	16-15 Enid Collett	Shoreham Harbour	2010–2019 2021–
Y-219	16-19 Irene Muriel Rees	Walton and Frinton	2011–2016
Y-219	16-12 George Sullivan	St Helier	2019–
Y-220	17-26 Henry Alston Hewat	Mallaig	2010–2024
Y-221	17-08 Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II	Islay	2010–
Y-222	17-13 Margaret Foster	Kirkwall	2012–2024
Y-222	17-24 Bon Accord	Aberdeen	2025–
Y-223	17-07 John and Margaret Doig	Valentia	2010–
Y-224	17-06 David Kirkaldy	Aran Islands	2010–
Y-225*	17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)	Yarmouth (IOW)	2011–2019 2021
Y-225*	16-19 Irene Muriel Rees	Walton and Frinton	2017–2018
Y-226	16-09 Baltic Exchange III	Salcombe	2012
Y-226	16-18 Killarney	Kilmore Quay	2014
Y-226	16-24 John D Spicer	Porthdinllaen	2017
Y-227	17-12 Edna Windsor	Barra Island	2010–
Y-228	17-20 Spirit of Northumberland	Tynemouth	2011–2015
Y-228	17-37 William Blannin	Buckie	2018
Y-228	17-10 Michael and Jane Vernon	Lerwick	2020–
Y-229	17-15 Bryan and Gordon	Ballyglass	2012–
Y-230	17-25 Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer)	Yarmouth (IOW)	2020
Y-231	17-21 David and Elizabeth Acland	Newhaven	2014–2018
Y-231	16-03 The Misses Robertson of Kintail	Peterhead	2019–
Y-232	17-28 Alec and Christina Dykes	Torbay	2012–2015
Y-232	17-29 Richard Cox Scott	Falmouth	2016–2018
Y-232	17-09 City of London II	Dover	2022
Y-232	17-26 Henry Alston Hewat	Mallaig	2025–
Y-233*	16-19 Irene Muriel Rees	Walton and Frinton	2019–2021
Y-233*	16-15 Enid Collett	Shoreham Harbour	2020
Y-233	–	Lowestoft Haven Marina
Y-234	17-37 William Blannin	Buckie	2011–2015 2017
Y-234	16-07 Lester	Cromer	2020–
Y-235	17-16 Violet Dorothy and Kathleen	Stromness	2023
Y-235	–	Relief fleet
Y-236	17-43 Donald and Barbara Broadhead	Rosslare Harbour	2013–2018
Y-236	17-39 Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey	Tobermory	2022–
Y-237	17-40 Julian and Margaret Leonard	Lochinver	2012
Y-237	17-32 Ernest and Mabel	Weymouth	2023–
Y-238	17-30 William Gordon Burr	Portrush	2012–
Y-239	16-24 John D Spicer	Porthdinllaen	2013–2016 2018–
Y-240	16-23 Diamond Jubilee	Eastbourne	2012–2022
Y-240	16-23 Diamond Jubilee	Ramsgate	2023–
Y-241	16-25 Kiwi	Moelfre	2013–
Y-242	16-20 Rose	The Lizard	2011–
Y-243	16-21 John Buchanan Barr	Portpatrick	2011–2023
Y-243	16-16 Molly Hunt	Appledore	2025–
Y-244	16-22 Alan Massey	Baltimore	2012–
Y-245	16-26 Norah Wortley	St Davids	2013–
Y-246	17-28 Alec and Christina Dykes	Torbay	2018–
Y-247	16-27 Roy Barker IV	The Mumbles	2014–
–	16-01 Peter and Lesley-Jane Nicholson	Relief fleet
–	16-06 Frank and Anne Wilkinson	Relief fleet
–	16-10 Edward and Barbara Prigmore	Relief fleet
–	16-13 Victor Freeman	Relief fleet
–	17-17 Fraser Flyer (Civil Service No.43)	Relief fleet
–	17-27 Volunteer Spirit	Relief fleet
–	17-31 Roger and Joy Freeman	Relief fleet
–	17-33 Beth Sell	Relief fleet
–	17-38 Daniel L Gibson	Relief fleet
–	17-45 The Duke of Kent	Relief fleet
–	17-46 Margaret Joan and Fred Nye	Relief fleet

Number* - unresolved date conflict

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

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Lifesaving features". Severn class lifeboat. RNLI. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
^ ^a ^b "X, XP and Y-class lifeboats". Irish Lifeboats. Irish Lifeboats. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
^ "Inshore Lifeboat Centre". Inflatable Boats. RNLI. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2026). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2026. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 110–116.
^ "Lifesaving features". Tamar class lifeboat. RNLI. Retrieved 9 August 2025.

External links

[Op-6] Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat carried on the hull.

[Severn-1] "Lifesaving features". Severn class lifeboat. RNLI. Retrieved 9 August 2025.

[X,_XP_and_Y-2] "X, XP and Y-class lifeboats". Irish Lifeboats. Irish Lifeboats. Retrieved 9 August 2025.

[ILC-3] "Inshore Lifeboat Centre". Inflatable Boats. RNLI. Retrieved 9 August 2025.

[LBES_2026-4] Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2026). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2026. Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society. pp. 110–116.

[Tamar-5] "Lifesaving features". Tamar class lifeboat. RNLI. Retrieved 9 August 2025.

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