Building support for the RNLI lifeboat service

To meet the need for facilities the RNLI has a continuous programme of maintenance, modernisation and new building works. These ‘shoreworks’ account for a major portion of the work undertaken by the RNLI's Estates Office under its overall remit to ensure that all the RNLI’s buildings are well designed and maintained.

The Estates Office commissions studies and designs and manages the procurement of facilities using external designers, contractors and specialist sub-contractors. With a portfolio of 235 lifeboat stations, divisional bases, fundraising and communications offices and lifeguard facilities on over 160 beaches, there is always an active programme of construction work in hand.

There are over 80 projects a year dedicated to upkeep and maintenance to ensure that properties and launching facilities are kept fit for use for as long as possible. In an average year, these works account for some 10% of the RNLI’s running costs.

The facilities required to house or moor lifeboats varies significantly according to the class of boat allocated to a station.

Top of the range in terms of cost are the all-weather slipway-launched stations such as Shoreham Harbour. Next are carriage-launched boats requiring a boathouse large enough to accommodate the full launching rig and tractor. Although afloat boats have no boathouse requirements they do need protected berths with power, water and refuelling facilities.

Inshore lifeboats require smaller boathouses. However, all stations require the basic supporting facilities of changing rooms, training and crew room, workshop, communications and administration offices and various storage facilities including petrol stores or diesel tanks. 

The locations of lifeboat stations vary greatly both in terms of their physical characteristics and the environmental and planning restrictions that apply. So, although the RNLI issues guidelines and standard specifications, the outward appearance is influenced by local factors.

The sensitive nature of some sites, whether they be listed buildings or in designated conservation areas, can result in protracted and sometimes controversial planning processes, which all form part of the behind-the-scenes activity that goes into building support to the lifeboat service.