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A scene that shows some grassy areas with roads, a lifeboat station with a slipway, and a lifeguarded beach. There are various RNLI lifeboats in the sea, and an RNLI lifeguard hut on the sand. One of the buildings on the grass is an RNLI shop.

Our strategy

The RNLI’s lifesaving work is as vital as ever – but the way people are using the coast and the water is changing. If the RNLI is going to save even more lives we must deliver a safe and effective lifeboat, lifeguard and water safety service while evolving to secure the RNLI of the future.

Working together towards shared goals, in common purpose, is what makes any crew great. It’s up to us on our watch to ensure that we secure the RNLI for the next generation. To help everyone play their part, we have set three long-term goals and a roadmap of the key activities that will move us toward them, delivered through a series of 5-Year Plans to 2040.

The first of these plans was published in September 2025. ‘One Crew, One Plan: RNLI 2026-30’ explains why we need to evolve, what we need to do, and how we will make it happen – together as One Crew.

Our goals

A group of RNLI lifesavers are standing in a line on a pebbly beach, all looking at the camera. Some of them are smiling, and some of them have a neutral expression. There are crew members, lifeguards and fundraising volunteers in the photo. The sea is behind them, and the sky is cloudy.

Goal 1

To continue to be an independent, volunteering charity and world-renowned rescue service.
Tynemouth’s D class inshore lifeboat, with four crew members onboard, heading out to sea. The lifeboat is creating splash as it powers through the water.

Goal 2

To deliver a sustainable, future-fit lifesaving service.
A schoolchild is standing up in front of his class, holding up a poster. He is wearing light brown trousers, and a bright blue jumper with a yellow T-shirt underneath. There is a teacher behind him, who is standing at a table with some art supplies such as pens, paper and tape. The teacher is also holding up a poster.

Goal 3

To be an influencer and catalyst for drowning prevention globally, nationally and locally.

Our strategy

Group shot of RNLI crew members
Our philosophy
To provide our lifesaving service using volunteers wherever possible, with voluntary donations supplying the funds needed to do so.
See our purpose, vision and values
A group of five RNLI lifesavers are standing in a line, all looking at the camera. They all have a neutral expression on their faces. Some of them are wearing all-weather crew kit. One of them is wearing inshore crew kit. One of them is wearing a red RNLI lifeguard fleece. The sea is behind them, and the sky is cloudy.
How we operate
We save lives through a combination of our lifeboat and lifeguard services, and water safety advice.
See how we save lives