THE RNLI IS THE CHARITY THAT SAVES LIVES AT SEA

THE RNLI ISTHE CHARITYTHAT SAVESLIVES AT SEA

4,7 + ,VOLUNTEERLIFEBOAT CREW MEMBERS900+LIFEGUARDSON PATROL95%OF RNLI PEOPLEARE VOLUNTEERS1900019,MILES OF COASTLINECOVERED BY OUR LIFEBOATS183 BEACHESPATROLLED BY LIFEGUARDSTHSINCE 1824VOLUNTEERSTOOK THEIR TRAINEECREW COURSE ATRNLI COLLEGEWEEVER-FISH STINGSTREATED BY LIFEGUARDSLIFEBOATS LAUNCHEDTO ASSIST 1,080PEOPLE IN THE WATER56,975 ,HOURSSPENT SAVING LIVES AT SEABY LIFEBOAT CREWS3,120,LIFEBOATLAUNCHESIN DARKNESS125LIFEBOAT LAUNCHESTO RESCUE ANIMALS501 LAUNCHESBY BUSIEST CREWAT TOWER LIFEBOATSTATION IN LONDONLIFEBOATLAUNCHES ONCHRISTMAS DAY16,7832 HOURSSPENT TRAININGBY VOLUNTEERLIFEBOAT CREWSLIFEGUARDS ASSISTED WITH347 INCIDENTSINVOLVING SURFERSLIFEGUARDS ASSISTED WITH704 INCIDENTSINVOLVING BODYBOARDERS7

Peter‘‘Why do I support the RNLI? I know whatthe sea is capable of. And if people aregoing to carry out sea rescues, you’vegot to give them the right kit. The crewat my local station, in Looe, got new,better lifejackets in 2012. Over thelast 10 years, more and more beachesaround Cornwall have been patrolledby RNLI lifeguards. The seaside is safer.I can see where my money is going withmy own eyes.There has been a recession, but thevolunteers still need the best kit. Thefunds have to go even further, becausethat ethos of ordinary people rescuingothers doesn’t change. That is why Ihave left a gift to the charity in my Will.‘‘we rescue 22The RNLI: independent from Government, separate from theCoastguard. So how do we fund and operate our lifesaving service?It begins with generosity. As a charity, we rely on donations. Werely on donors, regular givers, trusts, corporate supporters and peoplewho leave gifts in their Wills.By securing the future of the RNLI, our supporters are securing thefutures of thousands who call for help every year.We are committed to continuously improving the way we operate,so that every donation will save lives more effectively and efficiently.Every life saved by the RNLI is thanks to our extraordinary supporters.92% OF OUR TOTALINCOME COMESFROM DONATIONS83P IN EVERY POUNDGOES TO THERESCUE SERVICE8

Helen‘‘I go to the stores around Limerickand Ennis and ask: “Have you got alittle lifeboat collection box? Wouldyou like one? And people can’t giveenough. I had never heard of theRNLI until seeing a lifeboat rescueon television. My husband turned tome and said: ‘Helen, if I want to helpanybody, I want to help those people.’Fifteen years later my husbanddied and I was on the ferry bringinghis ashes to the UK. I looked downinto the water and thought: ‘Gosh, Iremember John’s words.’ I asked theCaptain how I could get in touch withthe lifeboat people. That’s how it allstarted. Volunteering opened a newworld to me.‘‘PeOPLe eVerYWe rely on tens of thousands of people tolend their time and talents to the RNLI intheir communities.Volunteers are at the heart of everythingwe do. They raise funds and awareness, givesafety advice, and help in our museums,shops and offices.They also save lives at sea. Every life savedby the RNLI is thanks to our extraordinaryvolunteers.4,600 VOLUNTEERLIFEBOAT CREwMEMBERS3,000 VOLUNTEERSHORE CREwAND STATIONMANAGEMENT

Barry‘‘I silenced the pager so it didn’twake my wife and daughter.There wasn’t time to change – Iheaded out in my pyjamas. It wasso windy that the fishing fleet hadheaded into Anstruther Harbourfor shelter, and I could hear thewaves on the way to the station. Welaunched and, when we got to thegrounded boat, we saw two menabout to jump.I knew we had to go in straightaway. I wouldn’t have fancied theirchances in the water. I picked awave and we rode the lifeboat in.My crew pulled the men aboard,with waves breaking over us.We headed out to sea. Then ithit me what we’d done.daY‘‘The income raised by our supporters andfundraisers provides equipment, training andfacilities for our lifesavers.Our lifeboat volunteers are on call at 236lifeboat stations, ready to rescue.We also stop tragedies through prevention,flood rescue, international work and ourlifeguard service.Every life saved by the RNLI is thanks to ourextraordinary prevention work and lifesavers.24/7 SEARCH ANDRESCUE SERVICEAROUND THE UKAND ROI200+ BEACHESPATROLLED BYRNLI LIFEGUARDSIN SUMMER 2013

Vanessa‘‘It was the day before Christmas Eve, andDevon had flooded. We were trapped in ourcar. I tried to climb onto the roof with myhusband and son. They were later helpedto dry land, but I was swept away towardsa river. I managed to grab hold of a branchand held on for dear life for 50 minutes. Bynow it was pitch black. I was screaming forhelp. I couldn’t hold on any longer. I knowI wouldn’t have survived if the river sweptme downstream.Then the RNLI Flood Rescue Teamcame and got me in their boat. It was sodangerous for them. They risked their livesto come and get me. To them I say this:‘‘You gave me the gift of life.I will hold you in my heartforever. Thank you.Right now, thousands of people are able to livetheir lives because they were rescued by the RNLI.We’ll never know how many more peoplehave lived on because the safety advice theyhave received from the charity prevented themfrom getting into danger. We are stepping up oureducation and prevention activities, so that ourwaterways and coasts are even safer places to workand visit.Every life saved by the RNLI is thanks to ordinarypeople doing extraordinary things – people like you.140,000 LIVES SAVEDBY THE RNLI SINCEIT wAS FORMEDIN 18249

FUTUREIN 2012, THE RNLIREINFORCED ITSFOUNDATIONS FORTHE FUTURE:A FUTURE wHERETHE wATER ISA SAFER PLACEFOR EVERYONELIFEBOATSThe All-Weather Lifeboat Centre will bringall-weather lifeboat manufacture in-house forthe first time in our history. It will secure thefuture supply of our all-weather lifeboats andgive greater control over future costs and quality.Building all-weather lifeboats in-house will saveus in excess of £3M annually once the centre isup and running – see RNLI.org/build.LIFEGUARDSThis Summer we bring the numberof beaches patrolled by RNLIlifeguards up to 202. We aim tocontinue to expand the serviceuntil our lifeguards patrol everybeach that needs their rescue skillsand safety advice.10

FLOOD RESCUEFlood events are on the increase inthe UK and RoI, and our Flood RescueTeam was deployed more times in2012 than any year previously.We will continue to provide a highlytrained team of flood rescuers as partof our core operations, so that we areready to respond to the changes inour weather.COASTAL SAFETYAND EDUCATIONWe are investing some of thesavings made by our continuousimprovement programme to researchthe causes of drowning tragedies –and to help prevent them in future.This is in addition to our growingeducation and sea safety programmes.INTERNATIONALDEVELOPMENTOur international work is growing.In the coming years we areexpanding our programmes tomore countries to help save lives allaround the world. Our work is on asmall scale, but is having an impactand aims to be self-funding.11

RUNNING COSTSIt costs us over £140M each yearto run our lifesaving service.17p in every pound donated isreinvested to generate more funds.83p in every pound donated goesto the rescue service.83p17pMONEY12

SUMMARYOur financial performance in 2012 was encouraging, despite the generally gloomy and uncertaineconomic climate. Thanks to our amazing supporters and volunteer fundraisers, our income in2012 was enough to meet our planned running costs – and our investment plans to fund vitalnew lifeboats and lifeboat stations. At the end of 2012 we had 11 months of free reserves. Theseare funds that would be available to run the RNLI in the case of a short-term setback. This equatesto £102.5M.By the end of 2012, 2 years into our improvement programme, we had made £16.2M of repeatableannual savings. This means that, despite significant inflation and our increased lifesaving activity,this programme has reduced our annual running costs – when compared to 2009 – by a remarkable£7M. So the RNLI is ensuring that our supporters’ generous donations go even further in ourmission to save lives at sea.Overall, 2012 was a good year for the RNLI but just as the need for our services remains constant,so does our need for funding. Even with our remarkable cost savings, we need to raise similar levelsof income every single year to achieve our plans. We can only do this thanks to the generosity ofpeople like you.This summary is intendedto give an understanding ofthe overall financial positionof the RNLI for 2012 andhas been taken from the fullaudited accounts for the yearended 31 December 2012.Please contact RNLIHeadquarters to receive acopy, or download fromthe website at RNLI.org.2012INCOME£166.5MLegacies 61%Fundraised voluntary income 31%Net investment income 2%Net merchandising and other trading 4%Lifeguard income 2%The income raised and donated by our supporters and volunteerfundraisers was constant in 2012, reaching £51.9M.Our overall income increased by £1.8M compared with theprevious year, largely as a result of some generous legacies.Lifeboat service 24%Lifeboat property and equipment 44%Fundraising and legacies 17%Lifeguard rescue 10%Safety, education and awareness 5%2012 REVENUEEXPENDITURE£140.7M2012 CAPITALEXPENDITURE£35.5MLifeboat stations 39%Lifeboat and launching equipment 44%Other equipment and property 17%13

THANK YOUAs you will have read in this booklet, 2012 was ayear of changes and challenges for the RNLI. Indeed,since I became Chairman in 2008, there has been agreat deal of change as we have aimed to do morefor less cost. For example, our lifeguards patrolled110 beaches then. They now patrol over 200 – andcoastal safety and flood rescue have also becomepart of our core operations as we seek to make allour waters safer. This has been affordable becauseof the success of our LEAN programme in creatingsavings across the Institution.Meanwhile, we have continued to provide anever more modern, well-equipped 24/7 lifeboatservice around the UK and the Republic of Ireland,including some fine new stations, thanks to oursupporters and volunteers.Amongst my special recollections of the past 5years is the Dedication of the Memorial in 2009at our Headquarters in Poole. The Memorial – toremember all those lost in the cause at savinglives at sea – was funded by supporters and staff.Its plinth is inscribed with 806 names and WilliamHillary’s motto ‘With Courage, nothing is impossible’,surmounted by an iconic sculpture of one personsaving another. It is a reminder to us all of what thesea is capable – and of what our lifesavers doevery day.When my chairmanship of the RNLI comes toan end later this year, I will have many other RNLImemories to cherish as well – especially that of ourlifeboats taking part in Her Majesty The Queen’sDiamond Jubilee Pageant on the Thames in 2012.I will always feel proud to be part of our charity;and forever will be touched by the generosity ofour people, whether they give their time, talents orfinancial support – all for one noble cause: to savelives at sea.Thank you for everything you do for that cause.ADMIRAL THE LORD BOYCERNLI CHAIRMANFIVE EXTRAORDINARYYEARS: Admiral the LordBoyce at the officialopening of RNLI CowesLifeboat Station (left) andRNLI Memorial dedicationservice (right)14

THE RNLI wOULD LIKE TOTHANK THE THOUSANDSOF INDIVIDUALSUPPORTERS ANDORGANISATIONS wHOMADE OUR LIFESAVINGwORK POSSIBLE IN 2012.HERE ARE jUSTSOME OF THEM:LEGACIESThe RNLI is immensely grateful for everylegacy we receive. All gifts in Wills,regardless of their size, are recognised inour remembrance book.Mrs Mary Robina Cornford was for many yearsan active supporter of the Redruth Ladies’Lifeboat Guild. Her gift of £200 will help meetthe running costs of the RNLI in Cornwall.Mr Roy William Henry Knight of Kent was anengineer in the Merchant Marine and had areal understanding of the dangers of the sea.His gift of £1,000 was given in recognition ofhis admiration of the work of the RNLI.Mr George Angus Gowan’s grandfather wasa member of the fishing fraternity at Buckie.His legacy of £1,000 goes to Buckie LifeboatStation.Mr Michael Joseph Dyson Bower of Clwydbequeathed a share of his estate to the RNLI.His legacy of £160,921 helped meet the vitalrunning costs of the Institution.Miss Irene Noakes from Bognor Regis gave alegacy of £114,653 to help meet the runningcosts of Selsey Lifeboat Station.MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERSMrs Scott for her ongoing generous supportand in particular for the provision of a tractorfor Aldeburgh Lifeboat Station.Joel and April Grunnill for their very generousdonation towards the future Shannon classlifeboat at Skegness.Mrs K Hurley MBE for her long and generoussupport of the RNLI.A family local to Kippford Lifeboat Station,for continuing their generous support of thestation running costs.Mr and Mrs Garrett for their continued supportthat will help to secure the future of lifeboatmaintenance and construction.Mr Robert Daws for his continued generousfunding of D class and Y boats.The Burgess family who funded Cleethorpeslifeboat to save lives in the waters that JamesBurgess knew so well.Mr E Hyett for his very generous support ofAngle Lifeboat Station.A generous gift by the Walker family toSunderland Lifeboat Station, in memory ofEileen S Walker, a lifelong RNLI supporter.Most generous support of the Build forLife project by Dr Ron Raworth. This is inmemory of his beloved wife Brenda, inacknowledgement of the selfless bravery ofthe lifeboat crews who operate in and aroundMorecambe Bay.Mrs A McLellan and her son Mr B McLellanfor their valued support in memory of JulieMcLellan, which has funded two inshore rescuecraft.The late Mrs J Graham, who sadly passed awayin December 2012, for her very generoussupport of our lifeboat stations in Scotlandover many years.Miss Sally Anne Odell for continuing her verygenerous support of the RNLI and especiallytowards the operational costs at Kinsale.Mr R and Mrs E Hope for their support of theRNLI.PAYROLL GIVERSAll those who donated to the RNLIthrough Payroll Giving. Your regularsupport is greatly appreciated.TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONSThe Alfred George Ker Trust for their mostgenerous donation towards Moelfre LifeboatStation.The Dulverton Trust for supporting crewtraining at RNLI College with a generousdonation of £25,000.The Frederick & Phyllis Cann Trust for fundinglifejackets at Walton and Frinton and forcontributing towards the new lifeboat facilityat Southend-on-Sea.Mr Simon Gibson CBE DL for very generouslyproviding Appledore’s new Atlantic 85 inshorelifeboat.The Gay & Peter Hartley’s Hillards CharitableTrust for their continuing generous support ofScarborough Lifeboat Station, where they havefunded the last three inshore lifeboats.The Harebell Centenary Fund for supportingthe running costs at Oban Lifeboat Stationwith a generous donation of £100,000.The Lloyd’s Register Foundation for generouslysupporting sea survival training at RNLI Collegewith a donation of over £1.5M over 8 years.The Band Trust for generously supporting amechanic’s training course at RNLI College for3 years.The Manx Lottery Trust for generously fundinglifejackets on the Isle of Man.The Iliffe Family Charitable Trust for generouslysupporting crew training at RNLI College.The Kenneth & Susan Green CharitableFoundation for generously supporting RNLIlifeguards and the All-weather Lifeboat Centre.CORPORATE SUPPORTERSWe would like to thank all the companiesthat supported us in 2012. In particular,for their continued and significant support,we thank:Bishop SkinnerHBAAJohn WestYorkshire Building SocietyThe Recycling FactoryToolStationVirgin Media15

Cover photo: Flood Rescue Team (FRT) HelmsmanChris Missen is awarded an RNLI Bronze Medal forGallantry for his part in saving a woman who was sweptfrom her car and left clinging to a tree in Devon floodsduring December 2012. FRT Crew Member MartinBlaker-Rowe and Boat Team Leader Paul Eastmentalso receive Bronze Medals for their part in the rescueRoyal National Lifeboat InstitutionWest Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZTelephone: 0845 122 6999 (UK) 1800 789589 (RoI)Web: RNLI.org Email: info@rnli.org.ukPhotos: RNLI, Nigel Millard, Nathan Williams, Paul Richards,Eamon Ward, Michael Lavis, Robin Goodlad, Laura AshmanThe RNLI is the charity that saves lives at seaRegistered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736).Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of IrelandINF004-12