Lifeboat types

The types of boats provided at each station and the launching methods vary depending on local needs. If more than one boat is provided they are sometimes stationed in separate buildings at different locations in the same town. Current RNLI boats fall into three broad groups:

• All weather lifeboats (ALBs): Mersey, Severn, Shannon, Tamar, and Trent.
• Inshore lifeboats (ILBs): D-class (IB1), Atlantic 85 and E-class
• Hovercraft: H-class

Launch methods

The principal launching methods are:

• Carriage – an ALB or ILB is pushed into the water on a carriage by a tractor
• Davit – an ALB or ILB is lowered into the water by a crane
• Launchway – an ILB is pushed into the water on a carriage by hand
• Moored afloat – an ALB or ILB is kept in the water alongside the lifeboat station or nearby, in which case a small boarding boat is provided so that the crew can reach it
• Slipway – an ALB slides down a slipway straight into the water
• Transporter – hovercraft are kept on the rear of trucks that can transport and offload them anywhere
• Versadock / Aquadock – a floating 'drive-on' pontoon

Regions

The following lists do not include the lifeguard patrolled beaches which also have their own equipment including inflatable boats and jetskis. The information is correct with reference to the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024 unless noted otherwise,^[1] and is set out like the RNLI's divisional model. As far as possible it follows a clockwise route around the coast.

• North and East Region (North East and East England)
• South East Region (South and South East England)
• South West Region (South West England and the Channel Islands)
• Wales and West Region: (Wales, North West England and the Isle of Man)
• Scotland Region (Scotland)
• Ireland Region (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland)

North & East Region

South East Region

South West Region

Wales, West & Isle of Man Region

Scotland Region

Ireland Region