About us

Working together with partners and communities, we aim to educate, influence, supervise and rescue those at risk from drowning.

We’re committed to saving lives at sea indefinitely, which means being as sustainable as we can in everything we do.

We are separate from the Coastguard, independent of the Government and rely on our volunteers and supporters to run our lifesaving service.

Since 1824 we’ve pioneered developments in lifesaving at sea. And our lifesavers have shown unfailing courage and selflessness.

From our lifesavers and volunteers, to our staff and supporters, we’re all ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Ordinary people. Extraordinary stories. Magazine is a section of our website dedicated to telling our stories in greater detail.

In Saving Lives at Sea, RNLI volunteers from across the UK and Ireland show us what it’s like to be part of a lifesaving team. The series airs on Tuesdays on BBC Two. Here, we go behind the scenes of some of the rescues you’ve seen in the show.

Put your skills to good use and make a lifesaving difference. Take a look at our volunteering and job opportunities.

You’re at the heart of everything we do and we love to hear from you. Depending on your enquiry, there are many ways to contact us.