RNLI rescue figures reveal another busy year
The RNLI has released its 2025 rescue figures, showing that lifeboat crews saved 272 lives during one of the charity’s busiest years on record. With more than 9,000 launches across its 238 lifeboat stations in the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands, the figures equate to 25 launches every day.
The data offers a clear picture of how wide-ranging that demand remains. RNLI crews launched 713 times to sailing vessels, 951 times to motorboats, 946 times to people in the water and 319 times to walkers and runners.
Animal rescues also rose. Lifeboats launched 179 times to animals in 2025, up from 163 in 2024. The charity notes that these call-outs help prevent owners from putting themselves in danger by attempting rescues themselves. Most involved dogs, though crews also responded to three sheep, one whale and a horse.
