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How the RNLI is run

We are separate from coastguards, independent of government and rely on our volunteers and supporters to run our lifesaving service.

Three crew members are stood on a rock next to the sea smiling and wearing full crew kit
Running costs
It cost £139.2M (€157.3M) in 2020 to run our lifesaving service – all funded by our generous supporters.
Our lifesaving costs
Tower lifeboat hurley burley
Royal Charter and Byelaws
The Royal Charter and Byelaws are the RNLI's two key constitutional documents. 
Our governing documents
Her Majesty The Queen has been Patron of the RNLI since 1952
Our Patron and President
Her Majesty The Queen has been Patron of the RNLI since 1952, while His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent has been President since 1969. 
Our Patron and President
To save lives and to protect themselves and others during the pandemic, Littlehampton volunteers wear Covid-19 PPE aboard their Atlantic 85 lifeboat Renée Sherman
Read the 2020 report
If you missed the 2020 Annual Report and Accounts, you can find it here.
Read the report
Lifeboat crew out at night
Gender pay gap reporting
As an organisation that employs over 250 people in Great Britain, the RNLI is legally required to publish its gender pay gap figures. 
Read the report
The Grange Tower Bridge Hotel in London
RNLI Annual General Meeting 2022
The RNLI Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on Thursday 14 July at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge.
Our AGM
RNLI Annual Scottish meeting at Perth Concert Hall
2022 Annual Meeting of the RNLI in Scotland
This year’s Annual Meeting of the RNLI in Scotland takes place at 2pm on Wednesday 1 June at Perth Concert Hall.
Find out more