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Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

The volunteer crewed rescue service providing 24-hour rescue services around the UK and Irish coastline. They also provide seasonal lifeguards who look after people on busy beaches.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charitable organisation in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland dedicated to saving lives at sea. Founded in 1824, the RNLI provides lifeboat search and rescue and lifeguard services on beaches, primarily funded by public donations.

Key Roles and Responsibilities of the RNLI

  • Lifeboat Search and Rescue: The RNLI operates a fleet of over 230 lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland, equipped with all-weather and inshore lifeboats. These stations respond to distress calls from mariners, vessels, and people with difficulty around coastlines and inland waters.
  • Beach Lifeguarding: The RNLI also provides trained lifeguards on over 240 beaches in the UK, offering lifesaving services to prevent accidents, assist swimmers, and provide emergency care.
  • Flood Rescue: The RNLI has a Flood Rescue Team that responds to major flooding events within the UK and internationally, offering rescue support, particularly in inland flooding emergencies.
  • Water Safety and Education: The RNLI promotes water safety through public education programs, providing advice, training, and resources to reduce drownings and encourage safe practices in and around water.
  • International Drowning Prevention: The RNLI collaborates with other organisations worldwide, offering expertise and resources to help reduce global drowning rates.

Funding and Organization

  • Charitable Status: Unlike government-run coastguard agencies, the RNLI is a charity and relies on donations, fundraising, and volunteers.
  • Volunteers: The RNLI is supported by over 9,000 volunteers, including lifeboat crew members, fundraisers, and community educators.
  • Independence: As a charity, the RNLI operates independently of government funding, allowing it to run services across both the UK and Ireland.

Working with Other Agencies

The RNLI often works closely with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in the UK, HM Coastguard, and Ireland’s Coast Guard, coordinating rescue efforts and supporting broader maritime safety.

The RNLI is widely respected for its dedication to lifesaving, with a history of volunteerism and public service in safeguarding people in the UK and Irish waters.

RLNI assets are usually called upon by the Coastguard and often work alongside the Coastguard helicopter in search and rescue operations.

RNLI crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,900 lives since 1824, but they are more than a rescue service. They influence, supervise and educate people too. The Community Safety teams explain the risks and share safety knowledge with anyone going to sea or the coast. Their international teams work with like-minded organisations to help tackle drowning in communities at risk all around the world.