Facts and Figures In 1987 the RNLI's lifeboats launched 3706 times (an average of over 10 times each day) and saved 1474 lives (an average of over 4 people rescued each day).

Over 35 per cent of all services carried out by lifeboats in 1987 were in winds of force 5 or above.

Over 54 per cent of all services were to pleasure craft.

There are 261 lifeboats on station and a further 97 in the RNLI relief fleet.

116,493 lives have been saved since 1824 when the RNLI was founded.

The net cost of running the RNLI in 1988 will be over £31 million.

Current costs of building lifeboats are as follows: 16ft D class inflatable £9,000 17ft 6in C class inflatable £12,000 21ft Atlantic rigid inflatable £40,000 52ft Arun £570,000 47ft Tyne £560,000 Fast carriage boat £337,000.