The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) was chosen to coordinate the services that already existed on the Thames.

In fact, the Thames lifeboat stations accounted for 10% of the total number of call-outs, or "shouts", that the RNLI responded to.

They train every week in order to achieve the high standards of competence and safety expected of the RNLI.

In the event of a call-out, every crew member's pager is simultaneously activated by the London Coastguard.

Pride of Nuneaton and Bedworth was Teddington RNLI's first ever lifeboat and was the first operational boat for the station.

Spirit of Mortimer entered service at Teddington in May 2005, having made an appearance on the floor of the Barbican Arts Centre during the RNLI AGM.

She was a gift by Peter and Hilary Saw, in memory of the latter's parents, Gwladys Olwen Martin and Thomas Frederick Shelton.