How does the RNLI decide what boats each station gets?

4 comments

1. As a wild guess I’d say it’s based on the most common types of rescue at each station combined with data about sea state, weather and how many call outs they get.

2. Rock Paper Scissors

3. It will be based on need and access.

   A harbour where the tide goes out and dries or becomes very shallow can’t provide access requirements of a large vessel and so will likely get a rib, or maybe two

   A deep port / harbour can provide for a large vessel.

   Also, a deep port will likely cater for large vessels and need a large lifeboat to service them, where vessels may be further out to sea and need a more sturdy vessel.

   A small seaside resort will likely need a rib to get close to shore to aid swimmers or people trapped on rocks.

   When the lifeboat is called out, often vessels from different ports will attend the shout as they are able to provide different support.

   Some harbours will need multiple vessels rather than just one if it is busy.

4. The same way any organisation knows? By having experts in the field tell them.

   Norfolk fire brigade probably doesn’t have a mountain rescue unit.

   Amount of traffic, the type of traffic, what the water is like, what the harbour/launch facility is like.