The work of the Institution mainly consists of:— 1. Building, equipping and maintaining Life-boats, transporting carriages, boathouses and slipways, wherever required on the coasts of the United Kingdom.

2. Payments and the granting of rewards to Life-boat coxswains, crews and helpers, for services rendered, including exercises; medals and vellums being awarded for conspicuous bravery.

3. Awarding medals, vellums, or grants of money to those, who, at the risk of their own lives, save, or endeavour to save, by means of . shore boats or otherwise, life from shipwreck on the coasts of the United Kingdom.

4. Granting pecuniary compensation to men injured on service.

5. Granting pecuniary compensation to the Widows and other dependent relatives of Life-boat men who lose their lives on service; not less than £100 being allowed for each Widow and £25 for each dependent child.

6. Granting pensions or retiring allowances to Life-boat coxswains, bowmen, and signalmen of long service and good character.

The moneys received from the Life-boat Saturday Fund are, as far as possible, applied by the Committee of Management towards meeting the expenses of items Nos. 2, 4, 5, and 6 only..