How the RNLI is run

We are separate from the Coastguard, independent of the Government and rely on our volunteers and supporters to run our lifesaving service.
Our lifesaving costs
Angle crew member in kit room
Running costs
It cost over £168.1M in 2015 to run our lifesaving service – all funded by our generous supporters.
Our lifesaving costs
Our governing documents
Tower lifeboat hurley burley
Royal Charter and Byelaws
The Royal Charter and Byelaws are the RNLI's two key constitutional documents. 
Our governing documents
Our Patron and President
Her Majesty The Queen has been Patron of the RNLI since 1952
Our Patron and President
Her Majesty The Queen has been Patron of the RNLI since 1952, while His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent has been President since 1969. 
Our Patron and President
Meet our Executive Team
Meet our Executive Team
Our Executive Team
The Executive Team are the RNLI’s senior managers, responsible for the day-to-day running of the RNLI. 
Meet our Executive Team
Meet our Vice Presidents
Hoylake shannon lifeboat
Our Vice Presidents
Vice Presidents are appointed by the Trustee Board as a mark of special recognition of service to the RNLI.
Meet our Vice Presidents
Meet our trustees
St Ives Shannon rescue training
Our Trustees
Our trustees are a body of volunteers who carry full financial and legal responsibility for everything the RNLI does. 
Meet our trustees
Our AGM
The Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts
RNLI Annual General Meeting
Find details of the latest RNLI Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Our AGM
Our Annual Report
A courageous community working together to save lives
Annual Report and Accounts
See the RNLI’s rescue and prevention activities for 2015, future plans, financial review, independent auditor’s report and financial statements.
Our Annual Report