Colin,
The RNLI's plan a few years back was that the 'fleet' of various classes of lifeboat was to be reduced to just two [apart from the various RIBs] - the Tamar and the Shannon. This would greatly reduce the amount of spares, technical training and maintenance. All of this to be done 'in house' at the new AWL Centre at Poole, HQ. That said, Ramsgate's Trent is away for a complete refurbishment and is meant to be on station for at least another five years, when it returns.
I have also talked to a number of crew members, coxswains and engineers / mechanics at various stations I have a connection with and they come up with some good points as to why this might not happen - I will not divulge these here.
The RNLI has had to look at its ways of reducing costs in today's economic climate and any way of maximising the donations made and the funds raised is to be encouraged, just so long as they are for the right motives and that the 'troops' - those that have to do the day to day job - are listened to! Hence the new 'livery' of removable items being in anodised finishes, rather than painted. Only time will tell. It just depends who is at 'the helm', in say five years!
Kim