At the time of going to print, the RNLI was awaiting the outcome of a UK Government consultation on the modernisation of the Coastguard service. Under Government proposals, the number of maritime rescue coordination centres (MRCCs) around the coast of the UK could be reduced from 18 to 9.

The RNLI is independent from, but works very closely with, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Our lifeboats are, in the vast majority of cases, requested to launch by the Coastguard once the emergency call has come into an MRCC.

Clearly, in the current economic climate, some very hard decisions have had to be made. However, we have been assured by the MCA that the standard of search and rescue initiation and coordination will not be reduced, and therefore that it will be business as usual for our lifeboats.

The RNLI has been involved in the consultation process, and one thing is certain: your charity’s lifeboats will continue to launch whenever and wherever needed.

RNLI Operations Director Michael Vlasto says: 'RNLI crew members work closely with the Coastguard and know many of its members personally; they are part of their communities. It is therefore with some sadness that we see their livelihoods at risk.'