Agree with the RNLI comments, great service and free and although the option to launch is at their discretion they won't leave anyone out there.
They reckon it costs £6,000 per big boat launch and £1,000 per rib launch so there are worse places to spend your money.
The kit they have is excellent , the best, without question. Their philosophy is they won't send out a volunteer on a ropey bit of kit. If you live near the sea look up becoming a volunteer.
One small thought, they are volunteers (mostly) so if it wasn't fun would they do it?