Royal National Lifeboat Institution

The first design of the RNLI flag was created by Leonora Preston in 1884 after her brother was rescued by Ramsgate lifeboat volunteers. The design depicts Saint George's Cross bordered by a dark blue line and within the white cantons, initials of the charity name coloured red, the first design included the Tudor crown worn by King George VI at the centre of the cross with a foul anchor below it, representing the charity's dedication to the royal charter and to the sea. The design was formally adopted in 1908 and was flown at every lifeboat station thereafter. In 1953, following Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, the design was altered to exchange the Tudor crown with St Edward's crown to represent the newly appointed monarch.[12][13]

In its first year of existence the RNLI had raised £10,000; however by 1849, income had dropped to £354.[14] In 1850, 28-year-old Welshman Richard Lewis became secretary, with the 4th Duke of Northumberland's presidency commencing in the following year, and along with a new management committee and a new Inspector of Lifeboats, Captain John Ross Ward (later Vice Admiral) of the Royal Navy, big changes were made. Captain Ward was responsible for the design and introduction of new cork lifejackets for lifeboat volunteers, while Lewis was largely responsible for turning the financial fortunes around.[15]

The RNLI accepted a government subsidy of £2,000, which rose in subsequent years. This lasted until 1869, when the RNLI ceased accepting subsidies – it had found that voluntary donations had fallen by more than the subsidies; in addition, the government's imposition of bureaucracy and regulations were detrimental to the service.[16] By 1883, the annual income was over £40,000.[15] The loss of 27 lifeboat crew of Southport and St Annes in 1886 gave new impetus to fundraising and an 1889 appeal raised £10,000. The first Lifeboat Saturday was held in that year.[14]

When Lewis became secretary in 1850, the institution had care of 96 lifeboats, but only about 12 were actually usable. By the time Lewis died 30 years later, it had 274 lifeboats, ready for use by trained crews at short notice. In 1850, 470 lives were saved; in 1883, 955 were rescued.[15]

During the First World War, lifeboat crews launched 1,808 times, rescuing 5,332 people. With many younger men on active service, the average age of a lifeboatman was over 50. Many launches were to ships that had been torpedoed or struck mines, including naval or merchant vessels on war duty; a notable example was the hospital ship SS Rohilla which foundered in 1914 and was attended by six lifeboats, saving 144 lives over a 50-hour rescue mission.[17]

The Second World War placed considerable extra demands on the RNLI, particularly in south and east England where the threat of invasion and enemy activity was ever-present,[18] rescuing downed aircrew a frequent occurrence, and the constant danger of mines.[19] During the war, 6,376 lives were saved.[20]

Nineteen RNLI lifeboats sailed to Dunkirk between 27 May and 4 June 1940 to assist with the Dunkirk evacuation. Lifeboats from Ramsgate, (RNLB Prudential (ON 697), now Trimilia), and Margate, (RNLB Lord Southborough (ON 688)), went directly to France with their own crews, Ramsgate's crew collecting 2,800 troops. Both coxswains, Edward Parker from Margate and Howard Primrose Knight from Ramsgate, were awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for their "gallantry and determination when ferrying troops from the beaches".[21] Of the other lifeboats and crews summoned to Dover by the Admiralty, the first arrivals questioned the details of the service, in particular the impracticality of running heavy lifeboats on to the beach, loading them with soldiers, then floating them off. The dispute resulted in the first three crews being sent home. Subsequent lifeboats arriving were commandeered without discussion, much to the disappointment of many lifeboatmen. A later RNLI investigation resulted in the dismissal of two Hythe crew members, who were nevertheless vindicated in one aspect of their criticism, as Hythe's Viscountess Wakefield was run on to the beach at La Panne and unable to be refloated; she was the only lifeboat to be lost in the operation. Some RNLI crew members stayed in Dover for the emergency to provide repair and refuelling facilities, and after the end of the evacuation most lifeboats returned to their stations with varying levels of damage and continued their lifesaving services.[18][19][22]

Four lifeboats took part in the 1953 Coronation Fleet Review; they were from Flamborough, Ramsgate, Margate and Campbeltown.[23]

In 2021, the RNLI received press attention for its rescue of migrants attempting to cross the English Channel via boat. Its actions received a polarising response, with the British government praising its "vital work" while politician Nigel Farage criticised the organisation as being a "taxi service" for human traffickers.[24] After its chief executive Mark Dowie disclosed verbal abuse received by RNLI volunteers from members of the public due to its rescuing of migrants,[25] the charity saw a 3000% rise in daily donations and a 270% increase in people viewing its website's volunteering opportunities page.[26]

Suevic on the rocks, 1907

The RNLI's lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved more than 140,000 lives since 1824.[27] The RNLI makes a distinction between people aided and lives saved. There were 8,462 lifeboat launches in 2014, rescuing 8,727 people, including saving 460 lives. Lifeguards helped or rescued 19,353 people. Flood rescuers deployed seven times.[28] In 2015 crews rescued on average 22 people a day.[29]

The biggest rescue in the RNLI's history was on 17 March 1907, when the 12,000 tonne liner SS Suevic hit the Maenheere Reef near Lizard Point in Cornwall. In a strong gale and dense fog, RNLI lifeboat volunteers rescued 456 passengers, including 70 babies. Crews from The Lizard, Cadgwith, Coverack and Porthleven rowed out repeatedly for 16 hours to rescue all of the people on board. Six silver RNLI medals were later awarded, two to Suevic crew members.[30]

More than 600 people have died in the RNLI's service;[27] their names are inscribed on the RNLI Memorial sculpture at RNLI HQ, Poole.[31][32]

Bust of Henry Blogg of Cromer

More than 2,500 medals have been awarded by the RNLI to its crews for bravery, with 150 gold, 1,563 silver and 791 bronze medals earned up to 2004.[33] The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum or a framed Letter of Appreciation may be given for other notable acts, such as those awarded to crews of Aberystwyth Lifeboat Station.[34] The Ralph Glister Award is a monetary award made for the most meritorious service in each year and was inaugurated in 1968.[35][36] The Walter and Elizabeth Groombridge Award is given annually for the most outstanding service by an Atlantic 21 (and successors) lifeboat crew. Established in 1986 as the Walter Groombridge Award in memory of Brighton Lifeboat Station's Administration Officer it was renamed in memory of his wife who died in 1989.[37]

The most decorated lifeboatman was Henry Blogg, coxswain of Cromer for 37 years, with three gold medals and four silver. He also received the George Cross and the British Empire Medal and is known as "The Greatest of all Lifeboatmen".[38] The youngest recipient was Frederick Carter (11) who with Frank Perry (16) was awarded a Silver Medal for a rescue at Weymouth in 1890. Other notable lifeboatmen include Henry Freeman of Whitby, coxswain for 22 years,[39] Robert William Hook (1828–1911), coxswain at Lowestoft from 1853 to 1883 and credited with saving over 600 lives plus two dogs and a cat,[40] Henry "Shrimp" Davies, coxswain of the Cromer Lifeboat with 45 years service[41] and James Haylett, coxswain of Caister-on-Sea.[42] One lifeboat has received an award: for the Daunt lightship rescue in 1936, the RNLB Mary Stanford and her entire crew were decorated (see illustration in history section, above).[43]

Lifeboat station and slipway at Douglas, Isle of Man

As of May 2023, there are 238 RNLI lifeboat stations[53] around the coasts of Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Tower Lifeboat Station on the River Thames in London is the RNLI's busiest, in 2013 rescuing 372 people and saving 25 lives.[54] In 2015 Tower's launches had increased to 465.[29]

For public access the RNLI classifies stations as one of three types: Explore, which are normally open all year round and have a shop, Discover, normally open during the summer months and Observe which, because of their location, still welcome visitors but may not be easily accessible.[55]

From time to time the RNLI may close a station; some of these are later reopened by independent services. The history of some former lifeboat stations can be found in Wikipedia articles on the places where those stations were. (See also: List of lifeboat disasters in Britain and Ireland for further information on closed stations.)[56]

Severn-class lifeboat, carrying a Y-boat

Atlantic 21-class ILB

As of May 2023, the RNLI operates 449 lifeboats.[57] The ship prefix for all RNLI lifeboats from the D-class (IB1) to the Tamar-class is RNLB (Royal National Lifeboat).[58]

• All-weather lifeboats (ALBs) are large boats with enclosed wheelhouses and survivor spaces below deck, which are self-righting and can go out in all weather conditions. Some ALBs carry an inflatable Y-class lifeboat or Y-boat for inshore work, launched by mechanical arm. There are six classes of ALB motor life boats, with speeds ranging from 17 to 25 knots. The RNLI's aim is to provide a 25-knot lifeboat to every all-weather crew, and has begun construction of an All-weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) in Poole which, when complete, will save £3 million per year.[59] The RNLI took over the ALC in 2015 with the expectation of becoming fully operational in 2019, when six Shannon-class lifeboats a year will be built.[60]
• Inshore lifeboats (ILBs) are smaller boats that operate closer to the shore and in shallower waters than ALBs. There are two classes, inflatables and RIBs capable of 25–40 knots. The RNLI's Inshore Lifeboat Centre at Cowes, Isle of Wight, has been building lifeboats since the 1960s[59] and by 2015 had produced over 1,600.[60]
• Hovercraft were introduced in 2002, allowing rescue on mudflats and in river estuaries inaccessible to conventional boats.[61]

Lifeboat crews are composed almost entirely of volunteers, numbering 4,600 in 2013, including over 300 women. They are supported by 3,000 volunteer shore crew and station management.[59] Lifejackets have evolved from cork, kapok and synthetic foam to today's light and non-cumbersome designs. ALB and ILB crews wear different styles of lifejacket. ALB crews wear lifejackets that inflate automatically when submerged in water, while ILB crews wear lifejackets that are already inflated.[14]

RNLI lifeguards are placed on more than 200 beaches around England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, and aided almost 20,000 people in 2014.[28][62] The lifeguards are paid by the appropriate town or city council, while the RNLI provides their equipment and training.[63]

Standard lifeguard set-up at water's edge

The institution has operated an International Flood Rescue Team since the 2000 Mozambique floods, with six strategically placed teams each with two boats, support transport and equipment. The teams are formed of volunteer lifeboat crew with a range of additional skills, prepared to travel to emergencies overseas at short notice.[64] They have trained alongside other teams for the common purpose in the United States.[65]

In the early days of the service, lifeboat launch and recovery was usually undertaken by women. There were deeply-held views about women crewing the boats – it was considered extremely bad luck. Along all parts of the coastline, women supported their men on the lifeboat crews by working together to get the lifeboat afloat and then later recovering it from the water in readiness for when the next call came.[66] While lifeboat crew are still predominantly male (92 per cent in 2013, falling to 90 per cent in 2022),[67][68] the first female (inshore) crew member was Elizabeth Hostvedt in 1969, and Frances Glody was the first woman crew member on an all-weather lifeboat, at Dunmore East Lifeboat Station, in 1981.[66] Lauren McGuire, at the age of 27, became the RNLI's youngest station manager in 2011, at Clovelly, Devon.[69] In 2017 at Harwich Lifeboat Station, Di Bush became the RNLI’s first female full-time mechanic. Four years later she was appointed coxswain of the Harwich Lifeboat, making her the first female full-time coxswain in the RNLI’s history.[70] In 2011, Cardigan Lifeboat Station launched an all-female crew in what was believed to be a first in Wales.[71] In 2022, Cullercoats RNLI station launched its first all-female lifeboat crew.[72] The 2022 figures published show lifeguards comprise 29 per cent women, and the RNLI total workforce to be 34 per cent women.[68]

Apart from lifeboat crew and lifeguards, the institution provides a variety of volunteering opportunities. One of these is as "Deckhand" where signed-up volunteers are notified by email or mobile phone when there is a local need, such as marshalling at fundraising events, helping with collections or in an RNLI shop. Voluntary internships in RNLI offices are available three times a year.[73]

Since its establishment in 1824, the RNLI has enjoyed royal patronage. Elizabeth II was patron until her death on 8 September 2022.[74]

RNLI lifeguard hut in Widemouth Bay, Cornwall

In addition to safety advice given in its publications,[75] the RNLI offers safety advice to boat and beach users when the opportunity arises, and to at-risk groups such as anglers, divers and kayakers.[59] The institution runs sea and beach safety sessions for young people, particularly in inner-city areas;[76] in 2013, more than 6,000 children a week were spoken to by education volunteers about sea and beach safety, and over 800 children a week received training.[59] Five hundred children were taught to swim in 2014.[77] In an effort to reduce the estimated 400,000 drownings a year worldwide, more than half of them children, the RNLI extends practical or strategic safety advice to lifesaver organisations overseas, in some cases providing training at the Lifeboat College.[78][79]

The RNLI does not support or encourage salvage (the recovery of a ship and its cargo). This is for two reasons: firstly, because it exists to save lives at sea, and secondly, to become involved in salvage might discourage those whose lives are at risk from calling for help. The RNLI's Sea Safety Guidelines state that "There is no 'salvage' fee when you are towed by a lifeboat, but a voluntary contribution to the RNLI is always very welcome!". This stance was reinforced in Newquay in 2009, when the RNLI was criticised for not launching a lifeboat in order to aid an unmanned fishing vessel that had run aground. A spokesman for the RNLI declared that "We are not a salvage firm and our charity's aim is to provide immediate assistance for people in trouble at sea and lives are at risk."[80]

There have been a few isolated cases where RNLI crew members (but not the RNLI itself) have claimed salvage.[81] There is no legal reason why crew members of the RNLI could not salvage a vessel,[82][83] since they frequently tow small vessels to safety, often over long distances.[84]

The RNLI is principally funded by legacies (65%) and voluntary donations (28%), with the remainder from merchandising and investment. In 2021, the RNLI's income was £219.9 million, which included government contracts worth £3.7 million, while its expenditure on delivering a lifeboat service was £157.8 million.[3][77] It has 65 employees paid more than £60,000 per year,[3] and 21% of its expenditure was on fundraising and governance rather than delivering its charitable aims.[3] The institution encourages corporate partnerships, which included in 2014 Waitrose, Yamaha and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.[91]

As of 2013, there were 1,100 RNLI fundraising branches throughout the regions served by the institution,[59] many far from the sea, which may support a particular station, or a project such as a new lifeboat. The institution estimated their volunteer network at 31,500 in 2014.[92] The largest regular contributor is The Communications and Public Service Lifeboat Fund (known simply as 'The Lifeboat Fund') established in 1886 for civil servants to support the RNLI collectively; the Fund has provided the institution with 52 lifeboats as well as other support.[91]

The lifeboat collection boxes[93][94] are seen nationwide,[95] and have even become the target for thieves.[96] A fixed, cast iron collection box in Porthgwarra, Cornwall, is Grade II listed.[97] The institution's annual fundraising day ("SOS Day") is at the end of January, but many lifeboat stations hold open days during the summer, hosting displays, stalls and other events,[98][99] as well as in-station shops which are open full or part-time.[100]

Nationally and internationally known celebrities in various fields are, or have been supporters and fundraisers for the RNLI; for example, the cartoonist Giles was a Life President of the RNLI and donated many cartoons which are still being used for RNLI charity cards and other illustrations, and Ross Brawn, the former Formula 1 team boss, in 2012 raised funds through a business challenge, for a new lifeboat for Chiswick Lifeboat Station on the River Thames in London.[101] Other names include Bear Grylls, Ben Cohen, Daniel Craig, Bernard Hill, Celia Imrie, David Morrissey, James and Oliver Phelps,[102] and Rebecca Newman, whose Coast to Coast tour in 2012[103] earned her an Outstanding Achievement Award.[104]

Membership classes involve differing levels of contribution

• Governor, which includes voting rights
• Offshore, aimed at active sailors and boaters
• Shoreline and Joint Shoreline, the most popular level
• Storm Force, for younger members[105]