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How the RNLI is run

We are separate from coastguards, independent from the government and rely on our volunteers and supporters to run our lifesaving service.

Three crew members are stood on a rock next to the sea smiling and wearing full crew kit
Running costs
It cost £190.3M (€224.8M) in 2024 to run our lifesaving service – all funded by our generous supporters.
Our lifesaving costs
Tower lifeboat hurley burley
Royal Charter and Byelaws
The Royal Charter and Byelaws are the RNLI's two key constitutional documents. 
Our governing documents
RNLI pin badge on jumper
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
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
RNLI Flag flying with blue skies
Our Trustees
Our trustees are a body of volunteers who carry full financial and legal responsibility for everything the RNLI does. 
Meet our trustees
RNLI Annual Report and accounts 2023 thumbnail
Annual Reports
Get the latest Annual Report and Accounts here to learn more about our charity’s activities, impact and finances.
Read the report
Lifeboat crew out at night
Gender pay gap reporting
As an organisation that employs over 250 people in Great Britain, the RNLI is legally required to publish its gender pay gap figures. 
Read the report