Inflatable Boat - Uses

Uses

Main articles: Dive boat, Lifeboat (shipboard), and Lifeboat (rescue) See also: Combat Rubber Raiding Craft, D class lifeboat (IB1), Arancia class, XP class lifeboat, X class lifeboat, Y class lifeboat, Ship's tender, and Luxury yacht tender

Inflatables are commonly between 2 and 7 metres (6.6 and 23.0 ft) long and are propelled by outboard motors of 2.3 to 300 horsepower (1.7 to 220 kW). Due to their speed, portability and weight, inflatable boats are used in diverse roles:

Inflatable and rigid-hulled inflatable boats are often used for short scuba diving excursions.

When employed as life saving equipment, they should comply to the regulations set out by the SOLAS. Some life rafts also contain additional inflatable section to ensure that the raft will self righten in heavy seas.

Inflatable life rafts have also been used since the 1930s on military aircraft that operate over water.

These boats are often used by special-operations units of the armed forces of several nations, for such purposes as landing on beaches. Because inflatable craft can be stored compactly they can also be transported on midget submarines such as those operated by the Advanced SEAL Delivery System. They have also been used by other forces without government sponsorship, such as guerrillas, pirates, and terrorists.

Lifeguards use inflatable boats or jet skis in order to reduce the time required to reach a swimmer in distress.

Inflatables are also used in conjunction with larger rescue craft such as the Y class lifeboat used with the Tamar and Severn class lifeboats.

They are used in a number of sporting events and for recreational purposes, such as Whitewater rafting, Inflatable Rescue Boat Racing, water skiing, Fishing

Although rigid boats are more often employed, some cruise ships and luxury yachts use inflatable boats as a tender.