Tag:emergency=lifeboat_station

This feature has been labeled as deprecated. The recommended replacement is: emergency=water_rescue.
The reason is documented in Deprecated features. You are still free to continue to use or interpret this tag as you see fit since OpenStreetMap does not have “banned features”.
Under no circumstances should you (semi-)automatically change “deprecated” tags to something else in the database on a large scale without conforming to the automated edits code of conduct. Any such change will be reverted.

emergency=lifeboat_station is intended to tag the base areas, and buildings, of groups that are dedicated to the rescue of vessels / sailors in distress, usually in Open or Coastal waters, but also sometimes in inland waters such as lakes and rivers. They may also be involved in rescue operations in littoral areas such as coastal cliffs, mud flats etc.

Rescues are usually carried out by boat, but other options, such as helicopters, can sometimes also be used.

Some examples of these groups include the British RNLI, USCG Auxilliary, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, Volunteer Marine Rescue & many others.

These groups may be made up of paid professionals, volunteers only, or a combination of the two. This tag does not distinguish between them.

For those groups primarily intended for the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants, see emergency=lifeguard

How to map

For buildings that operate as a lifeboat / rescue station, draw an area around the building, and tag as emergency=lifeboat_station. If the station includes multiple buildings, possibly in separate locations e.g. an administration building, a radio room / observation tower and also a boatshed, use the same tag on each of them.

If a single building is shared by multiple users, add a node inside the mapped building and tag it as emergency=lifeboat_station.

This tag can also be added to such facilities as fire-stations that also have a water-rescue role e.g. https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/392193354.

Tags used in combination

• name=* - the common name of the feature e.g. RNLI Tower Lifeboat Station
• operator=* - e.g. Royal National Lifeboat Institution (spelt in full in local langauge)
• operator:wikidata=* - the Wikidata ID code for the Operator
• opening_hours=* - Most groups will be available on a call-out basis 24/7, but if part of the station (e.g. the radio room or an observation tower) is open during the day, then include those times, either daily e.g. Mo-Su 05:00-18:00, or the time of year that they are there eg Oct-Apr Sa-Su 06:00-17:00. If the station is only operational for part of the year only, consider also tagging them with seasonal=* (e.g. yes or summer)
• phone=* - contact phone number for the group
• fax=* - contact fax number for the group
• seamark:type=rescue_station - denotes a Rescue Station

Other possible tags to include

• seamark:radio station:callsign=* - the designated radio call-sign of a rescue station (if different to the Station name)
• seamark:radio station:channel=* - which radio channels the group's radio-room monitors e.g. VHF 16,67,73,82; 27MHz 88,91
• seamark:rescue_station:category=* - type of facilities each station has e.g. radio station, on-land or moored lifeboat, first-aid room
• lifeboat=* - inshore / offshore - indicates whether the station is equipped for Blue Water (offshore) rescues, or close coastal / inland assistance only
• lifeboat_class=* - if the Class of lifeboat at the Station is known e.g. RNLI_Severn
  

N.B. The various seamark categories should be included as they are intended to render on various nautical charts.

Possible render

This tag could render with the same pink background / brown icon colour scheme as currently used for Police & Fire Stations, together with an "SOS" icon.