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IB1 class lifeboats are inflatable boats serving in the UK'sRNLI Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) fleet. Although they are known as the "IB1" at times, they are the latest development of the D class lifeboat and as such are mainly referred to as a "D-Class".
This class of lifeboat is one of the smallest operated by the RNLI, and they are becoming a common sight at Lifeboat Stations round the coast. Unlike other members of the ILB fleet the IB1 (D-class) does not have a rigid hull, all others with the exception of the Arancia, hovercraft & ALB Tenders are Rigid Inflatable Boats or RIBs.
The IB1 normally has a crew of three or 4 and is primarily used for surfer/swimmer incidents as well as assisting in cliff incidents where the casualty is near the water. The very nature of its work requires a swift response, and the IB1 can normally be afloat within five minutes of the pagers going off.