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Down The Cove
Coastal story3 min readUpdated 13 May 2026

The RNLI in Cornwall

The RNLI's volunteer crews are a much-loved part of Cornish coastal life, and the lifeboats they launch are remarkable pieces of kit. From the nimble inshore D class that works the surf and the caves to the mighty all-weather Severn and the waterjet-driven Shannon, here is a friendly guide to the lifeboat classes that keep our coast safe.

An RNLI all-weather lifeboat launching into a rough Cornish sea, orange and blue hull against the spray
A quiet Down The Cove story for coastal memories, family reads and a slower look at Cornwall.

Coastal care

Story notes

Why this keeps people safe. A few calm notes before you settle into the full read.

It makes coastal safety feel human: not a list of warnings, but part of caring for the people who visit and work by the sea.

Care for the coastThe coastal care or safety idea behind the read.

Safety stories are part of coastal life too: lifeboats, volunteers, changing weather, tides and the quiet habit of respecting the sea.

People it protectsThe families, visitors or volunteers this affects.

This story is for families, visitors and coastal readers who want to understand the people and practices that help keep the coast safe.

Then and nowHow old coastal knowledge meets modern advice.

Modern safety advice sits beside a long tradition of Cornish lifeboat crews, harbour knowledge and watching the weather carefully.

Read before you goA gentle way to talk about safety before a day out.

A useful story to read with children before a beach day, boat trip or coastal walk, so safety feels normal rather than frightening.

The full story

Read straight through, or use the story notes above to settle into the place, memory and detail.

Different Classes of RNLI Lifeboats in Cornwall

Browse RNLI Lifeboat Stations in CornwallBrowse RNLI Lifeguarded Beaches in Cornwall
D Class Lifeboat

The D class inshore lifeboat has been the workhorse of the RNLI for over 50 years.

First introduced into the RNLI fleet in 1963, the design of the inflatable D class lifeboat continues to evolve to meet changes in demand and technology.

She is highly manoeuvrable and usually operates closer to shore than our all-weather lifeboats. She comes into her own for searches and rescues in the surf, shallow water and confined locations - often close to cliffs, among rocks and even inside caves.

Tamar Class Lifeboat

When the Tamar class lifeboat was introduced into the RNLI fleet in 2005, she was the most sophisticated and safest lifeboat of the time.

The Tamar lifeboat was the first to be fitted with an integrated electronic Systems and Information Management System (SIMS), allowing the crew to operate the all-weather lifeboat from the safety of their shock-absorbing seats.

When crashing through the waves, the Tamar’s pioneering seat design absorbs most of the energy on impact, reducing the strain on crew members’ backs.

The Tamar is designed to be launched from a slipway – her mast and aerials can be lowered to fit inside a boathouse – and she can also lie afloat.

B Class Lifeboat

The B class inshore lifeboat is one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet.

There are two types of B class lifeboat – the Atlantic 75 and the Atlantic 85 – named after Atlantic College in Wales where these rigid inflatable lifeboats (RIBs) were first developed. 75 and 85 represent the lengths of the lifeboats – nearly 7.5m and 8.5m respectively.

Introduced into the fleet in 2005, the Atlantic 85 is the third generation of B class lifeboat and is gradually replacing the Atlantic 75.

The Atlantic 75 lifeboat joined the fleet in 1993, replacing the very first B class rigid inflatable lifeboat – the Atlantic 21 – which served from 1972 until 2008.

Severn Class Lifeboat

The Severn class lifeboat is the largest lifeboat in the RNLI fleet. She was developed in the early 1990s and introduced into the fleet in 1995.

As an all-weather lifeboat, the Severn can take on the worst sea conditions and comes into her own on long offshore searches and rescues.

She is designed to lie afloat, either at deep-water moorings or alongside at a berth.

Shannon Class Lifeboat

The Shannon is the latest class of all-weather lifeboat to join the RNLI fleet. She’s the first modern all-weather lifeboat to be propelled by waterjets instead of traditional propellers, making her the most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat yet.

The Shannon lifeboat was designed to be launched and recovered from a beach via a new faster and safer launch and recovery system and can also be launched from a slipway or lie afloat.

Trent Class Lifeboat

The Trent class was the first all-weather lifeboat capable of 25 knots and a range of 250 nautical miles, setting the precedent for the RNLI fleet.

The Trent class lifeboat was developed in the early 1990s and introduced into the RNLI fleet in 1994.

She is designed to lie afloat, either at deep-water moorings or alongside at a berth.

With thanks to the RNLI for allowing us to use some of their images and information

Having experience of serving as DSO in the Coastguards in Cornwall for over 20 years we are passionate about making sure people stay safe around our coastline. We always advocate wearing a lifejacket as well as taking other precautions to keep safe.

Our Coastal Safety Advice

Common questions

What are the main RNLI lifeboat classes?
Inshore lifeboats include the inflatable D class and the fast B class (Atlantic 85). All-weather lifeboats include the Tamar, the large Severn, the modern waterjet-driven Shannon and the Trent, each suited to different conditions and launch methods.
What is the newest RNLI lifeboat?
The Shannon class is the latest all-weather lifeboat, and the first driven by waterjets rather than propellers, which makes it exceptionally agile. It can be launched from a beach, from a slipway, or lie afloat.
What does the D class lifeboat do?
The inflatable D class has been the RNLI's inshore workhorse since 1963. Highly manoeuvrable, it works close to shore in surf, shallow water, among rocks and even inside caves.
Which is the biggest RNLI lifeboat?
The Severn class is the largest in the fleet, built to take on the worst conditions on long offshore searches, and lies afloat at deep-water moorings or alongside a berth.
How can I support the RNLI?
The RNLI is a charity that relies on donations. You can give directly, support your local station's fundraising, or buy our charity sea-shanty songbook, with all proceeds going to local RNLI crews.