Inshore lifeboat
E class
Royal National Lifeboat Institution · United Kingdom & Ireland
The RNLI's fastest lifeboat, designed for the tides, debris and traffic of the River Thames (figures for the Mk2).
Specifications
Hull & dimensions
- Manufacturer / builder
- —
- Hull type
- —
- Hull material
- —
- Watertight compartments
- —
- Length overall
- 10.5 m (34.4 ft)
- Length at waterline
- —
- Beam
- 3.5 m (11.5 ft)
- Draught
- 0.7 m (2.3 ft)
- Freeboard at bow
- —
- Freeboard at stern
- —
- Displacement
- 5.4 t (6 US tons)
- Gross tonnage
- —
- Net tonnage
- —
- Min vertical clearance
- —
- Height to highest unfixed point
- —
- Height to highest fixed point
- —
- Number built
- 10
- Year introduced
- 2002
- Year retired
- —
Machinery & propulsion
- Propulsion type
- Diesel waterjets
- Engines
- —
- Engine manufacturer
- —
- Total engine power
- —
- Fuel type
- —
- Total fuel capacity
- —
- Fresh water capacity
- —
- Launch method
- —
Members-only
Operating limits (seas, surf, wind), towing and stability data, and detailed engineering specifications are available to Members.
Performance & capabilities
- Maximum speed
- 40 kn (74.1 km/h · 46 mph)
- Range
- —
- Endurance
- 3 h
- Crew complement
- 4
- People capacity
- 20
- Self-righting
- —
- Self-bailing
- —
- Ice operations capable
- —
- Max ice-breaking thickness
- —
- Medical facilities onboard
- —
Members-only
Operating limits (seas, surf, wind), towing and stability data, and detailed engineering specifications are available to Members.
Operational envelope & limits
Members-only
Operating limits (seas, surf, wind), towing and stability data, and detailed engineering specifications are available to Members.
Source citations
| # | Source | Type | Supports | Accessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [1] | E class lifeboat RNLI https://rnli.org/what-we-do/lifeboats-and-stations/our-lifeboat-fleet/e-class-lifeboat | official | General | 2026-09-30 |
| [2] | E-class lifeboat Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-class_lifeboat | reference | General | 2026-09-30 |