We are Looe RNLI….With your support, we save lives at sea
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14),
the Isle of Man (1308 and 006329F), the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney | RNLI (Sales) Ltd | RNLI Shop (registration number 2202240 and RNLI College Ltd (registration number
7705470) both companies registered in England and Wales at West Quay Road, Poole, BH15 1HZ. Images and copyright © RNLI 2021.
We save lives by providing a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service,
seasonal lifeguards, water safety education and initiatives and flood rescue response.
Following the tragic death of a popular local teenager Ollie Naismith in a road
traffic accident in 2009, Ollie’s parents Maxine and John Naismith
spearheaded a fundraising campaign to raise sufficient funds for a new D
Class lifeboat. Funding of over £35,000 was raised and the new lifeboat
named Ollie Naismith brought into service in 2010
An inshore lifeboat, the D class was introduced to the RNLI fleet in 1994.
With a top speed of 25 knots, she can endure 3 hours at sea at this speed on
search and rescue missions – a crucial factor when lives at risk.
What kind of lifeboat is this?
The D class is an inflatable inshore lifeboat, so she’s designed to operate in
shallower water. There’s no wheelhouse, so the crew (usually 3) are exposed
to the elements at all times. All D class lifeboats are built at the RNLI’s Inshore
Lifeboat Centre at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
How is Ollie Naismith launched?
She is taken down to the sea on a trolley with the help of a launching tractor.
What sort of rescues is the D class designed for?
Inshore lifeboats like this one are ideal for rescues in the surf, close to shore
or cliffs, among rocks, or even in caves.
D class: facts and figures
Launch:
Trolley or davit
Crew:
2-3
Survivor capacity:
5
Length:
5m
Max speed:
25 knots
Endurance:
3 hours at maximum speed
Engines:
1 x Mariner at 50hp
Fuel capacity:
68 litres
Construction:
Hypalon-coated polyester
IDENTIFICATION
All lifeboats have a unique identification number. The first part of the inshore lifeboat’s number
indicates the class.
All D class lifeboats begin with D and the numerals after the dash refer to the build number, so
the first D class inshore lifeboat of the current design to be built was given the number D-600.
POWER
A single 50hp
outboard engine can
be restarted by the
crew after a capsize.
NIGHT VISION
Many rescues take place at night and can involve being
close to dangerous cliffs and man-made structures,or
searching caves and crevices.
Being able to illuminate the surrounding area with a
searchlight and parachute illuminating flares, along with
using night-vision equipment, helps keep crew members
safe as well as locate those in need of help.
COMMUNICATION
Fitted and hand-held VHF
radio ensure
communication, for
example between the
crew and Coastguard,
remains constant.
NAVIGATION
Crew use a magnetic compass and an onboard
global positioning system (GPS) plotter.
HELM
A helm is responsible for the
inshore lifeboat and the crew
members onboard. They lead the
rescue to ensure the lifeboat
gets to where it needs to be and
that casualties are given the
appropriate care. A helm will
have many years of experience
as a volunteer crew member,
and be trained to the highest
levels in areas including
navigation, search and rescue,
casualty care, leadership and
team management.
LAUNCH AND RECOVERY
Launching by trolley from
harbour or beach is made
possible by a team of RNLI
volunteer shore crew using a
tractor.
CASUALTY CARE
Medical equipment is stowed in the
bow pod, including oxygen and full
resuscitation kit, responder bag and
multi-purpose ambulance pouch.
D CLASS INSHORE LIFEBOAT
Ollie Naismith
Replacement Cost £78,000
D Class