The RNLI needed to upgrade its communications system to reduce crew call-out times for its 24/7 search and rescue operations. Arqiva implemented a new digital paging system that provided immediate call-out of over 6,000 volunteer crew members. The system included automatic integrity checks, secure radio links between crews and coastguard, and remote control of station equipment from the pagers. Arqiva also provides 24-hour monitoring of the system from their Customer Service Centre with a commitment to respond to issues within two hours and fix problems within 24 hours. The new system has reduced crew call-out times and improved information available to lifeboat crews.

1. Rapid response assured for UK lifeboats
We helped to reduce the call out time for RNLI lifeboat crews
responding to emergencies at sea and on the UK coastline.
Round the clock emergency service
The UK’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution provides a 24/7 365-days a year lifeboat search
and rescue service. It has an active fleet of more than 330 lifeboats and operates over 230
lifeboat stations. Founded in 1824, the RNLI launches a lifeboat on average 23 times a day.
Updating communications
In the past, the charity called out its volunteer crews and launch teams using various types
of commercial and private paging systems. In some cases there were inevitable delays
while the crew members were paged.
The RNLI previously had no way of knowing if the call had worked until the crew began

2. Arqiva Limited. Registered office: Crawley Court, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 2QA United Kingdom. Registered in England and Wales numbered 2487597
arriving at the boathouse. Often the crew had only a bare outline of the rescue they were
attempting, sometimes provided after they had launched the boat.
Meeting special requirements
The RNLI recognised that it needed to upgrade its communications system and wanted to
move, for the first time, to its own, wholly-owned system. Due to the fact that launching and
recovering a lifeboat demands more than the immediate crew, the RNLI’s pager systems
extended to over 6,000 people. The RNLI felt that a standard system would not be right.
Almost every lifeboat station presents a different technical problem depending on the type
of station and geographical position, perhaps even located at the bottom of a cliff.
Bespoke radio systems
With a solid track record in bespoke radio systems, we were awarded a contract covering
two phases of delivery. The first was a pilot system involving the installation of five selected
stations, all with different technical configurations. This allowed us to gather valuable
feedback from the crews involved in the pilot. For example, one request was the ability to
switch on boat station access lighting remotely, enhancing safety when the crew arrives.
The second phase of the contract saw us providing the full system roll-out to all the RNLI
lifeboat stations.
The right equipment for the task
Call-out is now immediate with digital paging under RNLI control. The RNLI has direct
access to its own system, either by telephone, through its private mobile radio (PMR), or via
a PC link in a matter of seconds.”
A data link allows the Coastguard to send information about the casualty direct to a printer
in the RNLI boathouse. The information also appears on an electronic scrolling board for the
crew to read while putting on their protective gear.
Vital voice links
For the first time the RNLI also gained a secure (scrambled) PMR radio system. Integrated
with the pager system, it provides a voice link between the RNLI Launch Authorities and
boats officers, lifeboats and Coastguard. Automatic Short Message Service (SMS) advice is
provided to crew members’ personal mobile phones.
Round the clock monitoring
A major advantage of the new paging system is the automatic integrity check that confirms
the transmission of crew alerts.
We also provide around-the-clock monitoring for the system from our Customer Service
Centre in Yorkshire. We run an operational check every day, and are committed to
responding to problems within two hours – with a promise to fix them within 24 hours.

3. Arqiva Limited. Registered office: Crawley Court, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 2QA United Kingdom. Registered in England and Wales numbered 2487597
Adding up the benefits
• Crew call-out time reduced
• Better information on vessels in distress available to crew
• Automatic integrity checks on paging
• Private radio system for secure communication
• Lifeboat station facilities controlled through pager system
• 24-hour monitoring and testing
• Prompt fault detection/repair
Cecil Clark, RNLI Staff Officer Operations:
“We were impressed with Arqiva’s professional approach. They
have a good track record in bespoke radio systems, but the team
also asked the right questions to find out exactly what we
wanted.”