Arancia-class lifeboat

The Arancia-class inshore rescue craft is a class of small inflatable rescue boat (IRB) operated by, among others, Surf Lifesaving Great Britain, Surf Life Saving Association of Wales and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

NameArancia-class Inshore Rescue Boat

BuildersArancia Industries, New Zealand

Operators Royal National Lifeboat Institution

In service2003–present

Quick facts Class overview, Name ...

Arancia inshore rescue boat at Gyllyngvase beach
Class overview
Name	Arancia-class Inshore Rescue Boat
Builders	Arancia Industries, New Zealand
Operators	Royal National Lifeboat Institution
In service	2003–present
General characteristics [1]
Displacement	165 kg (364 lb) without engine
Length	3.88 m (12.7 ft)
Beam	1.73 m (5.7 ft)
Propulsion	1 × 30 hp (22 kW) Mariner outboard engine
Speed	26 knots (30 mph; 48 km/h)
Capacity	8
Complement	2

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The Arancia inshore rescue craft originates from New Zealand where it is made by Arancia Industries Ltd. The Arancia surf rescue craft is also used in Surf Rescue competitions to demonstrate the high speed rescue skills of boat crews around the world. When in use it carries up to two crew and is primarily used for surf lifesaving duties.

Other small boats operated by the RNLI include the X-class lifeboat, XP-class lifeboat and Y-class lifeboat. The RNLI have placed the Arancia at some lifeboat stations to supplement the Atlantic 85.

Two stations in Wales, Aberystwyth^[2] and Criccieth, now have these as permanent resources after a trial period.^[3]

All of the following fleet details are referenced to the Lifeboat Enthusiasts' Society Handbook, published annually, with information retrieved directly from RNLI records.^[4]