© Simon Robson
1998-2003

Royal National
Lifeboat Institution

This Page Was
Last Updated:
31^st July 2003

The RNLI is a registered charity, which exists to save life at sea. It provides, on call, the 24-hour lifeboat service necessary to cover search and rescue requirements up to 50 miles out from the coast of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The Institution is entirely dependant on donations and legacies for its income. Since its foundation in 1824, over 136,000 people have been saved.

There are 231 lifeboat stations, 323 lifeboats on station and a further 137 additional lifeboats in the relief fleet. Modern lifeboats, designed to the highest standards and fitted with sophisticated equipment, cost thousands of pounds to build and maintain. They range from 4.9m to 17m in length and allow the service to reach 50 miles offshore within 2½ hours of launching in fair weather. The smallest rescue craft costs £6,500 to build ranging to the largest, a 17m Seven class which costs approximately £1,960,755. The B-class boats cost around £100,000.

It is estimated that this year it will cost £107 million pounds to run the service. This works out at over £290,000 a day! Of every pound spent, 81 pence goes on maintaining and replacing the current fleet, new equipment and shore facilities; 16 pence goes towards fund raising and just 3 pence is spent on administration. Any surplus income is held in the RNLI's reserve fund and used to guarantee the boat building and maintenance programmes.

Lifeboatmen are all volunteers although the mechanic is usually a full-time employee of the RNLI. Teachers, engineers, fishermen, doctors, men and women from all walks of life - are lifeboat crew members. In addition to their everyday jobs, they are ready to exchange the comforts of home for cold, wet, fatigue and possible danger. Whatever the weather, or the time of day or night, distress calls are always answered.

One very important reason for a voluntary service is that each lifeboat station attracts the support of a number of able and active people from the community whose interest is the sea. They devote considerable time and energy to the efficiency and well-being of the station and often their local knowledge is vital. Whenever the lifeboat crews put to sea and whatever they are required to face, they can always rely on the loyalty and support of the community.

To find out more, visit the R.N.L.I. home page at: http://www.lifeboats.org.uk/

The RNLI are developing an online souvenir shop, which will be up and running soon at: www.rnli.org.uk/shop.asp

The RNLI exists to save lives at sea and is supported entirely by voluntary contributions & legacies

The RNLI also produces it's own magazine called "The Lifeboat", which is published every quarter. It contains a vast array of information on the RNLI including :

• News and Views
• Notable Services of the Quarter
• In Depth Articles on Lifeboats and Lifeboating
• A Look at Some of the Latest Books on Lifeboats and the Sea
• Your Letters
• The Fundraisers - How some of the RNLI's Funds were Raised
• Station-by-Station Service lists for the Previous 3 Months

E:Mail them on : thelifeboat@rnli.org.uk or info@rnli.org.uk

To contact the R.N.L.I. by Snail Mail:
West Quay Road
Poole
Dorset
BH15 1HZ
Telephone +44 (0) 1202 663000
Fax +44 (0) 1202 663167

Designed by Simon Robson ©1998-2004
Helmsman - Flamborough Lifeboat Station