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‘I could see him

going under’

Watch dramatic footage of Blackpool RNLI rescuing children from drowning
Watch the rescue
lifeguard on the lookout at the beach

Find your nearest lifeguarded beach

Find your nearest beach
Photo of a busy beach in Boscombe during the summer lifeguard season.

Stay safe at the beach

How to keep safe

The RNLI's lifesaving mission

Anyone can drown. No one should. Here’s how we’re working to save lives right now:

Aerial drone shot of St Marys Severn class all-weather lifeboat The Whiteheads 17-11 at sea.

Lifeboats

Our lifeboat crews are ready to launch to the rescue 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whenever the call comes in, they are ready to answer.
A female lifeguard wearing a helmet, buoyancy aid and wetsuit rides a rescue watercraft across grey seas. She reaches out towards a casualty off screen.

Lifeguards

Our lifeguards keep thousands of people safe at the coast every summer. They share beach safety advice - and are ready to rescue if needed.
Simulation of a man drowning incident. Casualty is waving to lifeguards for help.

Water safety

Our water safety teams share advice with people of all ages, to help keep them safe.
Faisal (11) and Jamal (18) fish on the floodwaters after a monsoon. Cox s Bazar. Bangladesh. One inch of water international project.

International

Our international teams work with communities most at risk from drowning to share expertise and advice on how to keep people safe from harm.
Portrait of volunteer Sam Smith
It’s truly a huge privilege to be a part of the crew making a real difference in someone's darkest hour
Sam Smith, volunteer crew member at Newhaven RNLI
Send support
Navy blue donate icon with hand holding a coin

Help save lives at sea and keep RNLI lifesavers ready to rescue

Donate now
Get involved
Navy blue lifeboat crew helmet icon

Find out how you can use your skills, energy and time to support our lifesaving work

Help save lives
Stay safe
Navy blue lifebuoy icon

Learn how to keep you and your loved ones safe in the water with our expert advice

Safety tips

For every £1/€1 donated

RNLI/Nigel Millard

54p/54c helps equip volunteers with the lifeboats, lifeboat stations and rescue equipment they need to save lives at sea quickly, safely and effectively.
28p/28c helps us run our 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service to save those in trouble at sea.
12p/12c helps our lifeguards prevent accidents before they happen and respond instantly when they do.
4p/4c helps our volunteers educate, raise awareness and keep people safe.
2p/2c helps towards international drowning prevention.
Data taken from 2024 figures

Summer Appeal

A female lifeguard wearing a red and black RNLI wetsuit paddles towards the camera on the back of a bright yellow rescue board
Will you help RNLI lifeguards be ready to keep you and your family safe at the beach this summer?
Donate now
A female lifeguard wearing a red and black RNLI wetsuit paddles towards the camera on the back of a bright yellow rescue board

How your donations save lives

Our lifesavers rely on the kindness of people like you to provide everything they need - because the RNLI is a charity independent of the government.

Stories featuring RNLI lifesavers

All stories
Two RNLI lifeguards sit on an all-terrain vehicle, looking out to sea.

A guide to RNLI lifeguards: Celebrating 25 years

How did the RNLI’s lifeguard service begin – and where are we now?
Read more
Mark Ferrer - who was rescued by RNLI lifeguards - standing on a beach, facing camera. Photo: RNLI/Charlotte Hill.

‘I thought I was climbing Everest’

Reflecting on a swim in the Cornish sea, Mark Ferrer remembers how he got into trouble, but not how he got out of it. We piece together his rescue.

Read more
An aerial view of the two islands at Mumbles Head, showing a lighthouse situated on the more remote island. The Mumbles RNLI Lifeboat Station is in the background. Photo: Shutterstock.

Samuel’s story: ‘I had been about to die’

Four volunteer lifeboat crew members – two fathers and their sons – standing in crew kit in front of an all-weather lifeboat at the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset. Photo: RNLI/Charlotte Hill.

Two dads. Two sons. One Crew.

A portrait of Euan, who was rescued by the RNLI, sitting at the beach. He’s staring directly at the camera. Photo: RNLI/James Moffatt.

'It was like trying to swim on a treadmill': Euan's story

Shop to save lives

Browse gifts, clothing, homewares and more – 100% of the money you spend with the RNLI helps save lives at sea.

Shop more on RNLI shop
RS2647901VAR RNLI Lifeguards Beach Bag
RNLI Lifeguards Beach Bag
£15.00
RNLI Lifeguards Unisex T-Shirt, Blue
RNLI Lifeguards Unisex T-Shirt, Blue
£22.00
RS2642102BLU RNLI Lifeguards Embroidered Cap, Washed Blue
RNLI Lifeguards Embroidered Cap, Washed Blue
£15.00
RNLI Lifeguards Unisex Sweatshirt, Light Blue
RNLI Lifeguards Unisex Sweatshirt, Light Blue
£40.00
Big Seaside Rescue Personalised Children's Book
Big Seaside Rescue Personalised Children's Book
£22.00
A planter in the shape of a pair of RNLI lifeboat crew wellies in yellow and navy.
RNLI Yellow Welly Garden Planter, Large
£25.00
Puffin Garden Stake Spinner
Puffin Garden Stake Spinner
£20.00
RS2676207 Blue Tit Garden Stake
Blue Tit Garden Stake
£15.00
RNLI Wave Print Water Bottle, Blue
RNLI Wave Print Water Bottle, Blue
£8.00
Chrome Boules Set, Pack of 6
Chrome Boules Set, Pack of Six
£45.00
Blue shopping bag.

View the collection

Latest lifeboat launches

Latest launches

In an emergency at the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Black and white photo of Cromer lifeboat station's launch ramp with wooden boat.

Our lifesaving heritage

Since 1824, the RNLI has been saving lives at sea. Take a look back at some of the stories of courage from our archive.
Our history