Running costs

Keeping a modern fleet of lifeboats ever-ready to go to the rescue from over 238 lifeboat stations is an expensive business. Add to that crew training, running a lifeguard service on more than 240 popular beaches and campaigning for water safety, and the pounds start to add up.

It cost around £485,000 a day in 2016 to run the RNLI, all of which was generously donated by the public. This might sound like a lot, but we think the 23 people our lifeboat crews rescue on average every day are worth it. Below is a breakdown of the costs of our rescue kit; for more detailed information see our 2015 Annual Report and Accounts.