Facts and Figures In 1986 the RNLI's lifeboats have so far launched 1,550 times, saving 686 lives.

In 1985 lifeboats launched 3,882 times (an average of over 10 times each day) and saved 1,744 lives (an average of over four each day).

Over 46 per cent of all services carried out by lifeboats in 1985 were in winds of force 5 or above.

Thirty-one per cent of all services were to pleasure craft.

There are 257 lifeboats on station and a further 92 in the RNLI relief fleet.

113,551 lives have been saved since 1824, when the RNLI was founded.

The net cost of running the RNLI in 1986 will be over £23 million.

Current costs of building lifeboats are as follows: 16ft D class inflatable £8,250 17ft 6in C class inflatable £10,500 21ft Atlantic rigid inflatable £31,000 47ft Tyne £450,000 52ft Arun £415.000.