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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea

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RNLI Christmas Appeal

A crew member sits on a beach groyne looking out to sea.
With your help, our brave volunteers can bring more people home safely this Christmas. Will you donate today?
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A crew member sits on a beach groyne looking out to sea.

Statement on the RNLI's work in the Channel

Watch a video message from RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes

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The RNLI's lifesaving mission

Anyone can drown. No one should. Here’s how we’re working to save lives right now:

Aerial drone shot of St Marys Severn class all-weather lifeboat The Whiteheads 17-11 at sea.

Lifeboats

Our lifeboat crews are ready to launch to the rescue 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whenever the call comes in, they are ready to answer.
A female lifeguard wearing a helmet, buoyancy aid and wetsuit rides a rescue watercraft across grey seas. She reaches out towards a casualty off screen.

Lifeguards

Our lifeguards keep thousands of people safe at the coast every summer. They share beach safety advice - and are ready to rescue if needed.
Simulation of a man drowning incident. Casualty is waving to lifeguards for help.

Water safety

Our water safety teams share advice with people of all ages, to help keep them safe.
Faisal (11) and Jamal (18) fish on the floodwaters after a monsoon. Cox s Bazar. Bangladesh. One inch of water international project.

International

Our international teams work with communities most at risk from drowning to share expertise and advice on how to keep people safe from harm.
Portrait of volunteer Sam Smith
It’s truly a huge privilege to be a part of the crew making a real difference in someone's darkest hour
Sam Smith, volunteer crew member at Newhaven RNLI

For every £1/€1 donated

RNLI/Nigel Millard

54p/54c helps equip volunteers with the lifeboats, lifeboat stations and rescue equipment they need to save lives at sea quickly, safely and effectively.
28p/28c helps us run our 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service to save those in trouble at sea.
12p/12c helps our lifeguards prevent accidents before they happen and respond instantly when they do.
4p/4c helps our volunteers educate, raise awareness and keep people safe.
2p/2c helps towards international drowning prevention.
Data taken from 2024 figures

How your donations save lives

Our lifesavers rely on the kindness of people like you to provide everything they need - because the RNLI is a charity independent of the government.

Stories featuring RNLI lifesavers

All stories
Andy sits in an inshore rescue boat, along with two RNLI lifeguards. Photo: RNLI.

‘Thank you for saving our Daddy’

After paddleboarder Andy was swept out to sea and rescued by RNLI lifeguards and lifeboat crew, he and his grateful family all wrote heartwarming thank you letters. Here they are:
Read more
Point of view from a lifeboat crew member wearing bright yellow lifeboat kit as they pull a drowning boy from underneath the water and into the safety of the lifeboat

‘I could see him going under’ 

Two children were close to drowning in powerful waves under Blackpool Pier when lifeboat volunteers launched to the rescue – find out what happened next
Read more
A close-up of the Teledyne Raymarine navigation system being used on the prototype Shannon class lifeboat. Photo: RNLI/Nathan Williams

Explore the new tech helping crews save lives in the dark

The INEOS Grenadier launch vehicle launching a D class lifeboat at the beach.

'It's like being in a spaceship': Launching into the future

Two RNLI lifeguards sit on an all-terrain vehicle, looking out to sea.

A guide to RNLI lifeguards: Celebrating 25 years

Shop to save lives

Browse gifts, clothing, homewares and more – 100% of the money you spend with the RNLI helps save lives at sea.

Shop more on RNLI shop
RNLI Lifeguards Unisex T-Shirt, Blue
RNLI Lifeguards Unisex T-Shirt, Blue
£22.00
RS2642102BLU RNLI Lifeguards Embroidered Cap, Washed Blue
RNLI Lifeguards Embroidered Cap, Washed Blue
£15.00
RNLI Lifeguards Unisex Sweatshirt, Light Blue
RNLI Lifeguards Unisex Sweatshirt, Light Blue
£40.00
Big Seaside Rescue Personalised Children's Book
Big Seaside Rescue Personalised Children's Book
£22.00
A planter in the shape of a pair of RNLI lifeboat crew wellies in yellow and navy.
RNLI Yellow Welly Garden Planter, Large
£25.00
RS2676207 Blue Tit Garden Stake
Blue Tit Garden Stake
£15.00
RNLI Wave Print Water Bottle, Blue
RNLI Wave Print Water Bottle, Blue
£8.00
Chrome Boules Set, Pack of 6
Chrome Boules Set, Pack of Six
£45.00
Blue shopping bag.

View the collection

Latest lifeboat launches

Latest launches

In an emergency at the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Black and white photo of Cromer lifeboat station's launch ramp with wooden boat.

Our lifesaving heritage

Since 1824, the RNLI has been saving lives at sea. Take a look back at some of the stories of courage from our archive.
Our history