It provides, on call, a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service to 100 nautical miles out from the coast of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. It also provides a seasonal lifeguard service on beaches in England and Wales.

The RNLI, which provides nine out of ten sea rescue launches, is independent from Government and continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income. In 2008 it cost approximately £138.5M to run the RNLI (around £378,000 per day). For every £1 spent, around 84p went on operations and 16p to generating voluntary income.

The RNLI is largely a volunteer organisation. Many thousands of people give their time, skill and commitment so that the RNLI can achieve its purpose of saving lives at sea.

There are 235 lifeboat stations strategically placed around the UK and Republic of Ireland. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboats, and since 2001, its lifeguards, have saved more than 137,000 lives.