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Tamar class lifeboat launches from slipway into the sea

Our lifeboats and lifeboat stations

RNLI/Nigel Millard

RNLI lifeboat crews protect hundreds of communities around the UK and Ireland through our 24-hour search and rescue service. To do so, they rely on the safest, most reliable lifeboats and modern stations to launch from.

Saving lives at sea requires lifeboats that can battle the elements, lifeboat stations from which to launch from, and your support. Every lifeboat launch, and every life saved, is only possible thanks to the generosity of people like you.

Aran Islands RNLI’s Severn class lifeboat, David Kirkaldy 17-06, powering through rough seas

RNLI/Nigel Millard

Latest launches

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, RNLI lifeboat crews are ready to answer the call to rescue. Find out where brave lifeboat crews are launching to save lives at sea right now.

Two crewed lifeboats out on the sea

Our lifeboat fleet

To save lives, the RNLI take on all the challenges that the sea can throw at them. To do that, they need specialist craft. Nimble inflatable inshore lifeboats, all-weather lifeboats that can battle even the roughest seas, and hovercraft that can fly over treacherous mudflats. Find out more about the lifeboats that our crews use when they launch to the rescue.

448 Lifeboats and hovercraft

238 lifeboat stations

5,700+ volunteer lifeboat crew members

Hayling Lifeboat station

Find my nearest lifeboat station

Search by place name or take a look at our interactive map and discover which lifeboat stations are local to you.
RNLI The Lizard Lifeboat Station

Our lifeboat stations

The 238 lifeboat stations of the RNLI create a ring of safety around the coasts of the UK and Ireland. Some have been housing lifeboats for decades, others specially built to tackle the unique geography of the UK and Irish coastlines. And whether they're in the heart of a busy harbour, at the bottom of a cliff face, or on a busy waterway, they are all uniquely placed to provide the quickest response to a call for help.

Aran Islands RNLI’s Severn class lifeboat, David Kirkaldy 17-06, powering through rough seas
Latest lifeboat launches
With crews aiding an average of 29 people a day, there's most likely a lifeboat out right now.
Check our latest launches
Two crewed lifeboats out on the sea
Our lifeboat fleet
With an active fleet of 448 lifeboats and hovercraft, we can reach people in all kinds of situations.
Meet the fleet
RNLI The Lizard Lifeboat Station
Our lifeboat stations
Our 238 lifeboat stations protect and launch our lifeboats and house our crews.
About our stations
Launch of Cosandra 13-12; the first Shannon class lifeboat to be built at our All-weather Lifeboat Centre
Building our lifeboats
Our lifeboats are built, repaired and maintained to the highest standards.
See how we do it
Lifeboat crew self-righting a D class lifeboat in RNLI College’s wave tank
Lifeboat crew training
RNLI training turns willing volunteer lifeboat crew into competent RNLI lifesavers.
Find out how
Swanage Shannon Lifeboat sailing in rough seas
What it takes to launch a lifeboat
Find out what it takes every time the RNLI has to launch a lifeboat
What it takes