The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) was selected as official charity for Cowes Week 2009. The choice recognised the RNLI’s outstanding service to the sailing community and the invaluable support given to Cowes over many years.

The RNLI is a registered charity that saves lives at sea. It provides, on call, a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service to 100 nautical miles out from the coast of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and a seasonal lifeguard service on beaches in the east, south west and north of England and south Wales. The RNLI, which provides nine out of ten sea rescues, continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income and receives no government funding.

In 2008, links between the RNLI and Cowes were strengthened when the former independent lifeboat station at Cowes asked the RNLI to take over provision of the lifeboat service. After consultation with all involved, the Institution was proud to announce the start of RNLI lifeboat operations at Cowes from 1 July 2008. Fundraising during Cowes Week 2009 has had a direct impact on the Cowes sailing community by contributing towards upgraded facilities for the RNLI crew at Cowes lifeboat station.

The Cowes station is one of over 230 lifeboat stations strategically placed around the UK and Republic of Ireland. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews - and since 2001, its lifeguards - have saved over 137,000 lives.

To become an RNLI member, please log on to www.rnli.org.uk/cowesweek. For more information about the RNLI and its lifesaving work, please log on to www.rnli.org.uk.