The RNLI has a commitment to the UK and Irish governments to provide a lifeboat service for both countries - that means covering a massive 8,850 miles of coastline up to 50 miles out to sea. In order to provide this search and rescue cover, the lifeboat service currently needs a fleet of 315 station lifeboats, of nine different classes, operating from 225 locations.

However, the make up of the fleet and location of the stations is constantly evolving and looks somewhat different from what it was only ten years ago. As trends in waterborne activity continue to change, new harbour and marina developments are built and advances in boatbuilding technology continue apace, lifeboat cover has to be constantly re-evaluated.

Deciding on the geographical locations and types of lifeboat in an area is a major responsibility of Michael Vlasto, the RNLI's operations director.

Lifeboat stations around the coast are divided into six operational divisions and the placement and organisation of cover in each division is continually reviewed by its divisional inspector. These reviews take account of any changes that occur, regarding casualty potential, local developments and the availability of crew members. These findings are regularly reported to Michael as changes occur.

As trends in water activity continue to change, new harbour and marina developments are built and advances in boatbuilding technology continues apace, lifeboat cover has to be constantly re-evaluated.

In addition to this continuous review, a formal coast review is carried out to all areas of the coast every six years. Michael decides on the area to bereviewed and, together with the chairman of the Search and Rescue (SAR) Committee, leads a delegation of SAR Committee members and the divisional inspector to carry out the task.

Visiting each of the 225 lifeboat stations every six years is no mean feat - some 40 stations have to be seen every year and this is usually achieved by arranging four separate coasl reviews during the course of twelve months. The review also includes visits to the Coastguard rescue centres and helicopter bases in the area concerned to get the overall picture. In future, the reviews will also take the RNLI's new initiatives into account and will include inland waters and beach rescue.

During these visits, lifeboat cover in the area is examined and any changes that are considered necessary are discussed. It is a good opportunity to speak with the lifeboat crew to get their views on the suitability of their own lifeboat. Current waterborne activity in the area is discussed,along with any local marinas or harbour developments which may affect the lifeboat service currently provided or planned for the future. Naturally, the lifeboat station view the cover provided from their own local perspective, whereas the delegation form a wider view as to the overall cover provided to an area of the coast. It is essential that the lifeboats provide a joined-up service. Once the review is completed, a detailed report is submitted to the SAR Committee. This comprehensive report on each lifeboat station visit includes the distances between the station and its neighbouring stations, views expressed by the station personnel, service statistics, average launch time, waterborne activity and recommendations for future cover. It also includes comments on the condition of the lifeboat and boathouse, although the coast review visit is not a formal inspection of the station.

It is a good opportunity to speak with the lifeboat crew and to get their views on the suitability of their own lifeboat.

How then does the RNLI decide on future lifeboat coverage in a specific location? Historical data, current waterborne activityand predicted activity are part of the risk assessment process, which provides the operational case for a lifeboat. The class and number of lifeboats deployed depends on the operational requirements, which also takes account of the practicalities of launching the lifeboat, availability of crew members and proximity of neighbouring stations.

Whatever the operational requirements, there is a class of lifeboat to suit. For example, a large all-weather lifeboat, such as a Severn class, is capable of travelling miles offshore at high speed and is able to tackle severe weather and inhospitable waters in remote parts of the country. In contrast, a D class is ideal for rescues close to shore and among rocky outcrops in moderate conditions. The coast review delegation takes all these factors into consideration when deciding the optimum lifeboat cover required in the area under review.

One may think that, as the speed of lifeboats has increased in recent years, the number of lifeboat stations could be decreased without compromising the service provided. This is not the case. The number of lifeboat services remains high and the findings of the coast review delegations often lead to an increase in lifeboat cover. Recent examples of this are of an Atlantic lifeboat being co-located at Penlee and D class lifeboats stationed at Calshot and Trearddur Bay in addition to their current boats.

As well as the improvements as a result of the coast reviews, development in lifeboat cover in The number of lifeboat services remains high and the findings of the coast review delegations often lead to an increase in lifeboat cover.

general has continued, with new 25 knot all-weather lifeboats being placed on service asreplacement for existing lifeboats at a further four stations throughout the last year. In addition, 20 new inshore lifeboats have entered the fleet as replacements for existing Atlantic and D class inshore boats. By the end of 2005 the RNLI plans to further improve this so that 95% of all casualties can be reached within 30 minutes of launch.

The next coast review visit is scheduled to take place early this year and will include the Isle of Man and stations between Morecambe and Lytham St Annes in the north west. This will again give the delegation an opportunity to listen to the views of lifeboat crews on the lifeboat cover provided in the area and any other operational issues, such as possible hovercraft deployment in Morecambe Bay. Additionally, and importantly, it will give the operations director and members of the SAR Committee a good appreciation of the lifeboat stations together with the dedicated team of people who make it all work..