Independent lifeboats in Britain and Ireland is generally a term referring to lifeboat services which are not part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), (Est. 1854), or its predecessor, the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS) (Est. 1824), even though the RNLI is itself independent.
There are about 80 (the number can fluctuate - see the tables below) independent lifeboat services operating throughout Britain, Ireland and the Channel Islands, on coasts and inland waterways, comprising around a quarter of the lifeboat services in the UK and Ireland.
Because the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) owns and operates the majority of lifeboat stations (238 in 2025 [1] ), smaller independent services can be overshadowed when it comes to publicity and fundraising. [2] [3]
Independent services are usually funded privately and most are registered charities; they are supported by amateur radio; [4] most operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Some of the independent stations have achieved 'Declared Facility' (DF) status from HM Coastguard, or 'Declared Resource' from Irish Coast Guard, just as they would call on the RNLI. [5] [6]
The first recorded independent lifeboat service was established in 1776 at Formby, Merseyside, where it could cover the entrance to Liverpool Docks, one of the busiest ports in the world at that time. [7]
More lifeboat stations began to be established around the coast towards the end of the 18th century, in response to the considerable loss of life at sea. Many seaside towns and villages commissioned their own lifeboat, or were part of a larger group, such as the Norfolk Shipwreck Association, or the Essex Lifeboat Association. [8]
In addition, under the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847, companies operating Dock facilities were required by Act of parliament to provide a lifeboat.
Inevitably, managing the operations and costs of a lifeboat was not an easy task, nor the first priority of the various Harbour and Dock Companies, and the management of the majority of these lifeboat stations was ultimately transferred to the RNLI.
However, in the early 1900s, a rise in the number of powered vessels, including lifeboats, and a decline in the number of merchant sailing vessels at the mercy of the weather, resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of wrecks, and the need for lifeboats. Many RNLI stations were closed.
In the 1960s, a gradual increasing popularity of coastal and river sport and leisure activities, has led to the reopening of some lifeboat stations, and the establishment of many new ones, both with the RNLI, and independent organisations.
In 1962, the number of rescues or attempted rescues by All-weather RNLI lifeboats in the summer months was 98, with the number of lives rescued being 133. In 1963, in response to an increasing amount of water-based leisure activity, the RNLI began trials of small fast Inshore lifeboats, placed at various locations around the country. These were easily launched with just a few people, ideal to respond quickly to local emergencies. This quickly proved to be very successful. In 1963, there were 226 rescues or attempted rescues in the summer months, as a result of which 225 lives were saved. [9]
Along with new RNLI stations, the number of Independent Lifeboat stations have increased once again, with many operating in areas not traditionally covered by the RNLI, such as river estuaries and inland waterways, or established where a local need has been lacking cover.
In July 2020, the National Independent Lifeboat Association (NILA) was formed and established as a charity, to give independent lifeboats operators in the UK and Jersey a single voice in national conversations while remaining independent. Not all independent lifeboats are members of NILA. NILA has a seat on the UKSAR Operators group and the National Water Safety Forum. [10] In October 2020, the UK Parliament debated lifeboat coverage in depth, principally in respect of Covid-19, but generally to consider the future of lifeboat coverage around the UK, and to raise awareness of independent services and the funding difficulties they faced. A number of individual lifeboat stations (independent and RNLI) were highlighted. [11]
Independent lifeboat services are spread across England, Wales, Scotland, [12] Jersey, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. [13] Some are primarily inland rescue services.
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Name | Location | Established | NILA member | Notes | Image |
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Bay Search and Rescue | 1999 [14] | Yes |
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Boulmer Volunteer Rescue Service | 1967 [16] | Registered charity (No. 258409) [17] | ![]() | ||
BARB Search and Rescue | 1992 [18] [19] | Registered charity (No. 1031263) [20] | | ||
Caister Volunteer Lifeboat Service | 1969 [21] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 262126) [22] | ![]() | |
Duddon Inshore Rescue | 1969 [23] | Registered charity (No. 500045) [24] | ![]() | ||
Felixstowe Lifeboat | 1997 [25] [26] | Yes |
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Folkestone Rescue | 2014 [28] | Yes |
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Freshwater Bay Independent Lifeboat Station | 1972 [30] | Registered charity (No. 293657) [31] | ![]() | ||
Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) | 1969 [32] | Yes |
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Hamble Lifeboat | 1968 [34] [35] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 265661) [36] | | |
Haverigg Inshore Rescue Team | 1973 [37] | Yes |
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Hayling Island Rescue | 1984 [39] [40] | ||||
Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service | 1976 | Yes |
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Hope Cove Life Boat | Yes | ||||
Hornsea Inshore Rescue | 1994 [44] |
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Humber Rescue | 1989 [46] | Yes |
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Lancaster Area Search and Rescue | 2018 | ||||
Maryport Rescue | 1978 [50] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 1113807) [51] | ![]() | |
Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue | 2005 |
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Mundesley Volunteer Inshore Lifeboat | 1972 [53] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 266406) [54] | | |
North Cumbria Search and Rescue | 2018 [55] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 1182703) [56] | ||
Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat (PLIRB) | 1970 [57] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 286891) [58] | ![]() | |
Portsmouth & Southsea Voluntary Lifeguards | 1933 [59] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 265431) [60] | ||
Red Seal Rescue Safety Boats |
| 1967 [61] | Registered charity (No. 700535) [62] | ||
Runswick Bay Rescue Boat | 1982 [63] [64] | Yes |
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Ryde Inshore Rescue Service | 1956 [66] | Yes |
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Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat | 1884 | ![]() | |||
Sea Palling Volunteer Rescue Service | 1974 [70] | Yes |
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Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) | 1973 [72] | Yes |
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Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) (Sharpness) | 1986 [72] | Yes |
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Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) (Wyre Forest Emergency Services Hub) | 2005 [72] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 1193634) [73] | ![]() | |
Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) (Tewkesbury Fire Station) | 2007 [72] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 1193634) [73] | ![]() | |
Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) (Upton Marina) | 2019 [72] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 1193634) [73] | ![]() | |
Sidmouth Lifeboat | 1968 [74] | Yes |
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Solent Rescue | 1971 [76] |
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Southport Offshore Rescue Trust | 1812 |
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Tees River Rescue | 2018 [80] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 1187247) [81] | ||
Ulverston Inshore Rescue | 2002 [82] | Yes |
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West Cumbria Search & Rescue | 2023 [84] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 1204142) [85] | ![]() | |
West Mercia Search and Rescue | 2007 [86] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 1122651) [87] | ||
West Mercia Search and Rescue | 2007 [86] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 1122651) [87] | ||
York Rescue Boat | 2014 [88] | Registered charity (No. 1155849) [89] | ![]() | ||
Name | Location | Established | NILA member | Notes | Image |
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Ferryside Inshore Rescue | 1966 [90] | Yes |
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Loughor Inshore Rescue | 1969 | Yes |
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Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA), (Malpas Fire Station) | 2016 [72] | Yes | Registered charity (No. 1193634) [73] | ![]() | |
Name | Location | Established | NILA member | Notes | Image |
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East Sutherland Rescue Association (ESRA) | 1982 [93] [94] | Yes |
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Glasgow Humane Society | Glasgow | 1790 [95] | Registered charity (No. SC001178) | ![]() | |
Loch Lomond Rescue Boat | 1977 [96] | Yes | Registered charity (No. SC020014). | ![]() | |
Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation (MIRO) | 2005 [97] | Yes |
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Nith Inshore Rescue | 1982 [98] | Yes |
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Port William Inshore Rescue Service (PIRSAC) | 1979 [99] | Yes |
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St Abbs Lifeboat Station |
| Yes |
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Some independent services come under the umbrella of the Community Rescue Service (CRS), Registered charity (No. NI-106359), and a member of NILA. [101] [102]
Name | Location | Established | NILA member | Notes | Image |
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Bann Rescue (Community Rescue Service) | 2008 | Operates on River Bann. [103] | ![]() | ||
Foyle Search & Rescue | 1993 [104] | Yes | Registered charity (No. NI-106685). | ![]() | |
Lagan Search and Rescue (LSAR) |
| 2015 [105] | Yes | Registered charity (No. NI-101161). | ![]() |
Lough Neagh Rescue | 1989 [106] | Registered charity (No. NI-101051). | ![]() |
Whilst the Channel Islands are not part of the UK (they are Crown dependencies) they are included here because of their proximity to Britain and Ireland with their location in the English Channel and by virtue of the RNLI's coverage, which includes Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney.
Name [a] [b] | Location | Est. | Notes | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019. [107] | Registered charity (No. 108). | ||
Some independent services come under the umbrella of Community Rescue Boats Ireland (CRBI) and are trained and administrated by Irish Water Safety. Those noted (DR) are Declared Resource with Irish Coast Guard. [108]
Name | Location | Established | Notes | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|
Abbeyfeale District Search & Rescue | 2004 [109] | |||
Ballinskelligs Inshore Rescue (CRBI) (DR) | Ballinskelligs, County Kerry | 2008 [110] | ![]() | |
Ballybunion Sea & Cliff Rescue Service (CRBI) (DR) | 1986 [111] | | ||
Ballyheigue Sea and Cliff Rescue (CRBI) (DR) | 2015 (or earlier) [112] [113] | ![]() | ||
Banna Rescue (CRBI) (DR) | 1983 [114] | |||
Bantry Inshore Search and Rescue Association (CRBI) (DR) | 1987 [115] | ![]() | ||
Blackwater Search & Recovery Unit | 1981 [116] [117] | |||
Blessington Rescue Boat | 2007 [118] | |||
Bonmahon (Bunmahon) (CRBI) (DR) | 1986 [119] [120] | ![]() | ||
Boyne Fishermans Rescue and Recovery (CRBI) | [121] [122] | |||
Bunratty Search and Rescue | 1981 [123] | |||
Cahir River Search and Rescue | 2002 | Operating inland on the River Suir. [124] | ||
Cahore Inshore Rescue Service (CRBI) (DR) |
| 1994 [125] [126] [127] | ![]() | |
Carrick-on-Suir Search & Rescue | River rescue service. [128] | |||
Corrib Mask Search and Rescue (CRBI) (DR) | Lough Corrib and Lough Mask rescue service. [129] [130] | |||
Derrynane (CRBI) (DR) | 1995 [131] [132] | ![]() | ||
Foxford & District Search & Rescue Unit (CRBI) | Active 2025 but not listed as DR. [133] | |||
Kilkee Marine Rescue [134] | 1981 | Status unknown; possibly absorbed by Coast Guard Kilkee Unit. [135] | | |
Killarney Water Rescue | 1998. [136] [137] | |||
Limerick Marine Search and Rescue (CRBI) (DR) | 1986 [138] [139] | |||
Mallow Search & Rescue | [140] | |||
Tramore Sea Rescue Association (CRBI) (DR) | Operates in conjunction with RNLI Tramore, with RNLI crew. [141] | ![]() | ||
Waterford City River Rescue (CRBI) (DR) | 2005 [142] [143] [144] | |||
Waterford Marine Search and Rescue (CRBI) | 2010 [145] | |||