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A world class operation

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has nearly 200 years of experience in delivering a world-class maritime search and rescue (SAR) service for the UK and Irish Governments.

Our service constantly evolves to stay in line with an ever-changing maritime environment that spans leisure users on the beach and sea to commercial shipping.

Today, the RNLI saves lives at sea in three ways: lifeboating, lifeguarding and prevention. Combined, they provide one of the most effective maritime rescue services in the world. The RNLI delivers this vital service with volunteer crews and is funded entirely by public donations, at no cost to taxpayers or UK Government.

Sharing our services

The RNLI helps other international SAR organisations. It trains their lifesavers, sells and evaluates equipment and shares ideas. The RNLI can help you save more lives with the following range of services:

 

RNLI – know how

All our services, from advising on a complete national package of maritime SAR to the supply of local training, can be tailored and quoted to suit your local needs.

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Training - in country and in the UK

The RNLI has delivered a high standard of rescue, boat handling and first aid training to SAR personnel from China, Finland, New Zealand and Iceland. We deliver this both in the UK and in country. UK training takes place at the Lifeboat College, the RNLI’s specialist training centre of excellence.

The college is based on the south coast of England and is equipped with its own training boats, an all-weather lifeboat simulator, classrooms and a training pool. The pool can recreate stormy conditions and is used for sea survival and lifeboat capsize training.

Experienced RNLI staff also deliver excellent training and assessment to SAR teams in their own countries. Training materials are provided so that existing and future lifesavers continue to benefit.

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Equipment - procurement and evaluation

RNLI lifeboats are built and maintained to the highest standard and are capable of operating for decades after their programmed RNLI operational life. Therefore, many of these lifeboats have been sold at excellent value to other SAR organisations, including those based in China, Iceland, Australia, Chile,Uruguay, Portugal and South Africa. 

The RNLI’s Inshore Lifeboat Centre has also built new lifeboats for Dutch,Irish and Icelandic SAR organisations.

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Consultancy - from operational strategy to governance

Working with a complicated and varied coastline, running more than 230 lifeboat stations and over 160 lifeguard units, and constantly monitoring and improving performance has given the RNLI a vast depth of experience and skills. Therefore, it can help you determine and improve your operational maritime SAR strategy. 

Kenya and New Zealand are among the countries that have benefited from the RNLI’s expertise. In Kenya, experienced RNLI lifeguard trainers provided operational advice to a new lifeguarding organisation. The RNLI also provided broader consultancy to SAR-related services based in New Zealand and others worldwide.

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Flood response - strategy and development

Although lifeboat and lifeguard operations are based at sea, the RNLI has also built up considerable experience of rapid response to inland flooding both in the UK and abroad (Mozambique and Bangladesh). 

This is a completely different environment that needs a very different set of skills, and the RNLI has teams specially trained in swift water rescue and has practical experience in both pre-planning and operational relief activity. Experience shows that every situation is different but the RNLI can apply lessons.

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Conferences and teambuilding

The RNLI College, has a unique harbourside location for conferences, training and teambuilding. Choosing the RNLI College as the venue for your events directly benefits the RNLI.

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