Facts and Figures In 1987 the RNLI's lifeboat launched 3,745 times (an average of over 10 times each day) and saved 1,491 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.

116,510 lives have been saved since 1824 when the RNLI was founded.

The net cost of running the RNLI in 1988 will be £34 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 47ft Tyne £560,000 52ft Arun £570,000 Fast carriage boat £337,000.