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The RNLI operates a fleet that is far more complex than many outside the organisation might realise. With 238 lifeboat stations around the coast, more than 200 lifeguarded beaches, and over 1,000 vehicles spanning the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands, coordinating and maintaining these assets is a major logistical challenge. Catherine caught up with two of the people responsible for making everything run smoothly, for the latest episode of For Every Response.
Tom Baker, Asset Management Lead, explained his role, which combines assigning fleet according to need with working out what the needs of the future might be. “I manage a team of people who work through everything from the tactical day to day allocation of our relief fleet and what that plan looks like through to future and strategic planning,” he said.
Ian Hogarth, Vehicle Fleet Compliance Manager, oversees the operation and safe compliance of the RNLI’s road-going vehicles. “I started in the RNLI within our life saving Operations Directorate, before moving into my current role. I’m responsible for the operation and the safe compliance of our entire vehicle fleet throughout the RNLI,” he explained.
The organisation’s fleet is diverse. Lifeboats range from inshore D-class and B-class boats to all-weather Shannon and Tamar class vessels, and even hovercraft, as well as jet-skis and small inflatable surf boats. “On top of 238 lifeboat stations, we have more than 200 lifeguarded beaches around the coast, which also have vehicles attending them,” Tom said. Vehicles support these boats and lifeguards, including tractors, launch and recovery systems, and crew transport vehicles. “We operate a diverse fleet, outright owning and leasing vehicles depending on their purpose,” Ian added.
The RNLI’s approach ensures the right asset is in the right place. The team assess terrain, distance to the shoreline, local hazards, and the type of lifeboat being launched. “We carefully select the right vehicles for the right work, often converting them ourselves if needed, to ensure that they’re durable, that they’re easy to maintain, and that they will be ready and reliable for when we need them, for our volunteers to launch,” Tom explained to Catherine.
Maintaining such a fleet relies heavily on the expertise of volunteers. “Predominantly, our teams on the coast are volunteers, and they are trained in how to maintain and keep our equipment in the best possible condition,” Ian said. Vehicles and boats may stay with the same volunteers for years, allowing them to develop deep familiarity with the assets. Training is supported by central teams, roving trainers, and peer-to-peer learning at lifeboat stations.
Tom highlighted the pride volunteers take in their boats. “They often have been integral to fundraising to pay for the boat,” he pointed out. “We run a training college in Poole where people can focus purely on improving their skills and maintaining safe usage of their vessels.” Competency-based systems track training across both boats and vehicles, ensuring crews maintain high standards year-round, despite seasonal variations in activity.
Vehicle technology is evolving to adapt to future needs. Ian explained the rollout of a new telematics system designed to provide better visibility of the fleet and help plan future requirements. “What we’re really looking to do is drive efficiencies in understanding vehicle usage and our future fleet profile. The telematics system will give a holistic view and help ensure we can manage it optimally,” he said. AI is also being explored to analyse telematics data, offering insights on usage, vehicle transitions, and even the shift to electric vehicles.
The RNLI has already begun electric vehicle trials, focusing on proof-of-concept programmes in the Highlands, Ireland, and England. “We’re trialling them with frontline teams and managers to build a real understanding of the pros and cons of operating these vehicles and how they’re going to fit into our wider strategy,” Ian said. This approach will inform the wider EV strategy, prioritising vehicles and locations that can migrate most easily, while considering operational realities and geography.
Transitioning lifeboats to electric propulsion is more challenging. “Boats take significantly more energy to operate than even large vehicles,” Tom told Catherine. “Currently, the most sustainable option for our larger boats is low-emission diesel. We’re keeping a watching brief on the market and technology, but none of that is in a position right now to sustainably support boats that may spend eight hours at sea in one go and need to be ready to go again almost as soon as possible.”
The RNLI’s approach shows how fleet management, volunteer training, technology, and forward planning all come together to save lives. Across navigation systems and telematics, as well as electric vehicle trials and carefully matched boats and vehicles, the organisation is thinking strategically about today and tomorrow.
