Running costs
It cost £139.2M (€157.3M) in 2020 to run our lifesaving service – all funded by our generous supporters.
Keeping a modern fleet of lifeboats ever-ready to go to the rescue from over 238 lifeboat stations is an expensive business. Then there's crew training, running a lifeguard service on more than 248 popular beaches and campaigning for water safety, and the pounds start to add up.
It cost £139.2M (€157.3M) for the RNLI to run in 2020, 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. For more detailed information see our Annual Report and Accounts.
How is the RNLI funded?
The RNLI is funded primarily by kind donations. 92% of our total income comes from donations, with the remaining 8% coming from income sources including trading and investments. As a charity that is independent of the government, the RNLI receives no government funding.
How much does RNLI rescue kit and equipment cost?
| Equipment (2021 costs) | Pound sterling | Euros |
|---|---|---|
| Helly Hansen layered clothing and boots (ALB) |
£1,500 | €1,668 |
| Drysuit and boots (ILB) | £800 | €889 |
| Thermal suit (ILB) | £230 | €256 |
| Lifejacket | £336 | €374 |
| Helmet | £350 | €389 |
| Seagoing gloves | £25 | €30 |
| Balaclava | £20 | €23 |
| Average training cost per crew member | £1,400 | €1,557 |
| Lifeboat Class | Pound sterling | Euros |
|---|---|---|
| Shannon class | £2.23M | €2.48M |
| B class | £285,000 | €317,000 |
| D class | £89,000 | €99,000 |
| E class | £560,000 | €762,000 |
| Hovercraft | £400,000 | €544,000 |
| Kit | Cost | Euros |
|---|---|---|
| Full wetsuit | £250 | €278 |
| Binoculars | £100 | €111 |
| Sunglasses | £45 | €50 |
| Rash vest | £60 | €67 |
| Swimsuit/trunks | £60 | €67 |
| Fleet | Cost |
|---|---|
| Rescue watercraft | £10,000 |
| Inshore rescue boat | £13,000 |
| Patrol vehicle | £24,600 |
| All-terrain vehicle | £7,000 |