The RNLI now have lifeboat stations on the River Thames. Chiswick, Tower Bridge and Gravesend are permanently manned with large jet-powered RIBs capable of 40 knots and a response time of 15 minutes, and Teddington has a 'D' class inflatable with the usual voluntary crew. RNLI lifeboats are now operating in inland locations including Lough Erne (Northern Ireland) and Oulton Broad in Suffolk, and RLNI hovercraft are scheduled to be in operation over sandbank areas such as The Wash by 2003.

The central Solent area is served not only by the RNLI's all-weather lifeboat and 'D' Class RIB at Calshott, but also the independent 'Cowes Rescue' and 'Hamble Rescue' RIBs. This may seem excessive but last June all three RIBs were in action when three yachts were stranded on the Bramble Bank, the RNLI's 'D' Class boat running over the shallows and passing lines and casualties to the larger craft. One or the yachts was towed clear another was anchored after the occupants were rescued, but the third lost its keel in the pounding, and with the mast thrashing into the water to one side then the other, rescuing the four crew was extremely difficult.