What is the RNLI lifeboat fleet strategy?

The Lifeboat Fleet Strategy will ensure we have the most appropriate lifeboats in the right places, which will save the greatest number of lives in the most effective way and, crucially, keep our people safe. 

The RNLI has reviewed and adjusted our lifeboat fleet and laydown over the next 15 years to meet the changing needs of our volunteers, supporters and the communities we serve. 

As we enter our third century of lifesaving, the RNLI’s rescue work is as vital as ever – but the way people are using the coast and the water is changing. If the RNLI is going to save even more lives, our lifeboat and lifeguard services must continue to adapt to these changing needs, so that we can provide the right response and make the best possible use of donors' support.

Using in-depth data, insights and specialist knowledge, the 2040 Lifeboat Fleet Strategy considers what capabilities are needed from the RNLI’s lifeboat fleet to meet the changing demand in lifesaving. It assesses which lifeboats can deliver these capabilities and determines fleet configuration options.

Rescue data has helped to guide the principles of the strategy and informed key decisions regarding the lifeboat fleet.

Lifeboat changes are part of our evolution, and this is nothing new for the RNLI.

Data shows the nature of lifesaving is changing, at a time when demand for our vital service is increasing. We must respond to this. Use of the sea around the UK and Ireland is fundamentally changing. Increasing numbers of people are using the coast for recreational purposes, such as open-water swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding.

Most RNLI rescues are now closer to shore than out to sea. The RNLI must respond to this shift in operational need and ensure that it has the most appropriate lifeboats in the right places, to save the greatest number of lives and keep our crews safe.

Right now, several classes of all-weather lifeboat and the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat are coming to the end of their operational lifespan. Decisions on the future of these lifeboat classes are needed now to ensure donors’ money is invested in the right areas. We need to know that the decisions we make now are setting us on a sustainable trajectory that is appropriate for the changing nature of lifesaving demand.

Careful consideration has been given to the age, capabilities, location and pattern of lifeboats around the coast of the UK and Ireland in response to the changing nature of lifesaving. This work has been informed by changes in search and rescue technology, and it has drawn on a combination of in-depth data, insights and specialist knowledge. Numerous potential options have been explored, tested and refined to meet different lifesaving scenarios.

Our data tells us that approximately 88% of service calls could have been undertaken by our inshore lifeboats (ILBs). However, our ILBs are subject to weather and environmental restrictions, which means ILB stations need to have all-weather lifeboat cover within 20 nautical miles.

As part of this strategy, we have agreed what our ALB fleet requirements are:

• Provide cover to flank station inshore lifeboats
• Respond to all-weather lifeboat demand (for example, incidents that are in conditions outside of an ILB’s capabilities)
• Respond to major incidents (involving vessels over 30 nautical miles from the shore) where towing may be required
• Respond in areas where there is likely to be rescue demand 25-75nm offshore

The 2040 Lifeboat Fleet Strategy is not about one individual lifeboat station – it looks across the whole of the charity’s lifeboat configuration.

The strategy is underpinned by a set of overarching principles. These principles reflect the clear data we have on the changing ways people are using the coastline, as well as the specific needs, capabilities and operational requirements of our all-weather lifeboats. These principles have informed our decisions on where lifeboats will be best placed to save the most lives and keep our crews safe.

When deciding which lifeboats to place on service at a station, we take a holistic view and consider the capabilities across flanking stations and other search and rescue services to meet the lifesaving demand.

We are committed to engaging with every lifeboat station on the strategy and inform those who are impacted by lifeboat changes. We will continue to provide training and support while they transition to their new lifeboat.

Our data includes insights provided by our crews, lifeguards and partners over many years. It has shown that the majority of incidents our lifeboats are responding to are within the capabilities of an inshore lifeboat.

The RNLI’s lifeboat fleet must reflect this demand. Between 2017-2025:

• 98% of the RNLI’s lifeboat response was within 10 nautical miles of the shore
• 1.8% was between 10 and 25nm
• Just 0.2% of incidents the RNLI responds to are at a range greater than 25nm from the shore

The RNLI recognises the importance of being able to respond to major incidents involving larger vessels. The role of the all-weather lifeboat fleet includes responding to incidents beyond the capabilities of inshore lifeboats and providing towing capability where required.

Under the strategy, inshore lifeboat stations will continue to be supported by strategically positioned all-weather lifeboats at flanking stations, ensuring the RNLI retains the ability to respond effectively to these types of incidents across the coastline.

The strategy has been informed by extensive operational data, specialist knowledge and an understanding of how people are using the coast and water today.

Many incidents now occur close to shore and within the capabilities of an inshore lifeboat. These lifeboats are fast, agile and specifically designed to respond to incidents in nearshore environments. The RNLI believes the revised fleet configuration will continue to provide an effective lifesaving service to the communities we serve.

The RNLI's fleet is designed so that different classes of lifeboat provide different capabilities. Inshore lifeboat stations are supported by all-weather lifeboat cover across each stretch of coastline, allowing the RNLI to respond to incidents that are beyond the capabilities of an ILB.

The role of the ALB fleet includes responding in conditions beyond an ILB's capabilities. This strategic placement ensures the RNLI can continue to respond to incidents in severe weather when required.

As a charity dedicated to saving lives at sea, the RNLI recognises the continuing need for offshore search and rescue capability. While the majority of incidents now occur closer to shore, the fleet strategy retains all-weather lifeboat capability to respond to offshore incidents where this remains necessary.

One of the defined roles of the ALB fleet is to provide lifesaving effect in relation to offshore risk and to respond to major incidents where towing or offshore capability may be required.

Major incidents remain an important consideration within the strategy. One of the primary roles of the RNLI's all-weather lifeboat fleet is to respond to incidents that require greater endurance, offshore capability and towing capacity.

The fleet configuration has been designed to ensure this capability remains available while balancing the growing demand for nearshore rescues. The RNLI will continue to work closely with search and rescue partners, and other emergency services, during major incidents.

The safety of our volunteers and the people we rescue is our highest priority. The 2040 Lifeboat Fleet Strategy has been informed by extensive operational data, specialist knowledge and insights gathered over many years. The evidence shows that the vast majority of RNLI rescues now take place close to shore and within the capabilities of an inshore lifeboat.

The strategy has been developed to ensure we have the most appropriate lifeboats in the right places to save the greatest number of lives while keeping our people safe. Inshore lifeboat stations will continue to be supported by strategically placed all-weather lifeboats, enabling the RNLI to respond to incidents both close to shore and further offshore when required.

We are confident that the lifeboats assigned to each station will continue to meet the lifesaving needs of the communities they serve.