Donate now
A young man is fully clothed in the open water. His face is above the water, looking up to the sky, and his arms and legs are stretched out, gently moving to help him stay afloat.

Do you know how to float to live?

If you're struggling in the water, it could save you or someone you love.
Learn How to float
RNLI

We are the RNLI

The charity that saves lives at sea

RNLI beach lifeguard carries a red and yellow flag on the beach

HEADING TO THE BEACH?

Choose a lifeguarded beach so you and your family can have fun and stay safe at the seaside.
A female lifeboat crew member wearing a lifejacket and yellow all-weather lifeboat kit puts on her helmet

Bring crews safely home

Help save lives and bring brave RNLI volunteers home safely
Illustration of a Swanage's Shannon class Launch A Memory lifeboat breaking through the waves

Launch a Memory

Add your loved one’s name to Swanage’s Shannon class lifeboat and their memory will help save lives at sea
Montage image of four RNLI lifesavers who have been honoured in the King's Honours List

King's Birthday Honours

Six volunteers and one member of staff, have been honoured by The King for their incredible contribution to the RNLI
Relief Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Norma Ethel Vinall B-825 at Dart, at sea during a training exercise with D-class Dudley Jane D-838.

Mayday Appeal

RNLI volunteers are calling for help. Will you answer?
Black and white photo of lifeboat crew members carry injured men out of the water and onto the beach

RNLI Stories of Courage

Discover and share accounts of RNLI bravery during the Second World War as we mark 80 years since its end
Overview of the contents of Storm Force membership pack. On display are the Storm Force magazine, pencil case and drawstring bag.

Storm Force: The perfect gift for little lifesavers

Help little ones discover the exciting world of the RNLI with a Storm Force membership, our very own club for young people under 9.

Rescue stories your support made possible

A black and white photograph showing a uniformed coastguard officer holding the arms of two of the crew from the Foremost and helping them walk them down a busy road, which is crowded with people.
Heritage
Heritage
The Foremost rescue: A story of immense bravery
Read more
Katie and Will are holding hands and walking on Borth Beach, next to a calm, blue sea.
‘Floating was the difference between life and death’
Allan Grant (centre) and some of the lifeboat volunteers who saved his life, including (left) Andy Stoner
Hanging on: 2-hour river ordeal
Richard, Charlotte and Ed are sitting on their bodyboards on the sand, wearing wetsuits and still damp from the sea. They’re all smiling and their dog, Flo, sits in the middle of them.
‘Their speed saved my life – and heart’
Tenby's all-weather lifeboat launches from the slipway into the surf on the way to a rescue
'I thought she was gone'
All rescue stories

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

Cullercoats Lifeboat Helm Anna Heslop on the 200 Voices podcast

Listen to the 200 Voices podcast

Stories of courage, triumph and tragedy from survivors, supporters, and the lifesavers of the RNLI

Listen now

Latest lifeboat launches

Latest launches
Severn class lifeboat breaking through waves

True stories of courage

Visit our online magazine to read some of the most thrilling, dramatic and inspiring rescue stories carried out by RNLI lifesavers
Read now