Every time a lifeboat is called out on service the details are recorded. At present there are over 230 lifeboat stations around the coast of the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The crew who man these stations currently number around 4,800. They are in the main, volunteers and on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Each year the service figures are compiled, analysed and published. An average year will see the lifeboats launch over 8,100 times and rescue over 8,100 people. This works out at over 22 call outs a day with the same number being rescued. As you can now see the lifeboat service is kept very busy. The lifeboats of the R.N.L.I have saved the lives of over 137,000 people since its foundation in 1824.

In 2005, the majority of calls were to pleasure craft, which accounted for 50% of all call outs. Services to people without any form of craft accounted for 28% of all calls, merchant and fishing fleets accounting for only 12% of all calls and the remaining 10% to other sea users. The trend from 2004 to 2005 showed that the number of call outs was increasing, although the numbers needing to be saved were decreasing. The table below shows the figures for 2004 and 2005.

  Lives Saved* = Those who, in the opinion of the RNLI, would have lost their lives if a lifeboat/lifeguard had not attended.

The Flamborough Lifeboats have contributed to these figures over the years, as you will be able to see on the 'Boats' page. More detailed lists can be seen on the service lists for: 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, and 1996. At present the Flamborough boats have launched over 900 times, saved over 540 lives and rescued countless others since the stations were formed in 1871. All this work has been carried out by volunteers who rely on generous donations to keep the service running.

If you would like to help or would like more information on the lifeboat service, please contact:
Royal National Lifeboat Institution, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ.
Telephone: 01202 663000
Fax: 01202 663167
Website: www.lifeboats.org.uk
Email: info@rnli.org.uk
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a registered charity, number 209603.

Designed by Simon Robson ©1998-2007
Helmsman - Flamborough Lifeboat Station