Facts and Figures In 1985 RNLI lifeboats have so far launched 749 times, saving 305 lives.

In 1984 lifeboats launched 3,613 times (an average of nearly ten times a day) and saved 1,330 lives (an average of over three people rescued each day).

Over 35 per cent of all services carried out by lifeboats in 1984 were in winds of force 5 or above.

Thirty-three per cent of all services took place in darkness.

Over fifty per cent of all services were to pleasure craft.

There are 256 lifeboats on station and a further 91 in the RNLI relief fleet.

112,097 lives have been saved since 1824, when the RNLI was founded.

The net cost of running the RNLI in 1985 will be over £20 million.

Current costs of building lifeboats are as follows: 16ft D class inflatable £7,750 17ft 6in C class inflatable £9,750 21ft Atlantic rigid inflatable £29,000 47ft Tyne £445,000 52ft Arun £390,000.