Facts and Figures In 1986 the RNLI's lifeboats launched 3,641 times (an average of over nine times each day) and saved 1,398 lives (an average of over three people rescued each day).

Over 44 per cent of all services carried out by lifeboats in 1986 were in winds of force 5 or above.

Over 33 per cent of all services took place in darkness.

Over 59 per cent of services were to pleasure craft.

There are 260 lifeboats on station and a further 111 in the RNLI relief fleet.

114,949 lives have been saved since 1824, when the RNLI was founded.

The net cost of running the RNLI in 1987 will be over £29 million.

Current costs of building lifeboats are as follows: 16ft D class inflatable £9,000 17ft 6in C class inflatable £11,250 21ft Atlantic rigid inflatable £35,000 47ft Tyne £537,000 52ft Arun £490,000.