The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea.

It provides, on call, a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service to 100 nautical miles out from the coast of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Its also provides a seasonal lifeguard service on beaches in the east, south and south west of England, and south Wales. The RNLI is independent from Government and continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income.

Go to: www.rnli.org.uk/how_to_support_us

Lifeboat Crews

There are over 4,500 lifeboat crew members in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, 8% of whom are women. They are mostly volunteers who come from all walks of life within their local communities – from vicars to tattooists, they will readily exchange leisure, comfort and sleep for cold, wet and fatigue. Crews spend many hours of their own time training to become highly skilled and efficient. Their lifesaving work is essential, often difficult and sometimes dangerous.

Go to: www.rnli.org.uk/what_we_do/lifeboats

Sea and Fishing Safety

The RNLI Sea safety team aims to save lives by changing attitudes and behaviour among people who use the sea, particularly targeting the leisure boat community and commercial fishermen. Statistics are used to target those most at risk and to prioritise the work of the department.

With the fishing industry being the most dangerous of all occupations, the RNLI has developed MOB Guardian, an automated system that pinpoints a casualty’s location confidentially alerts rescuers.

Safety messages and advice are delivered by teams of volunteers in various ways, such as presentations and demonstrations of safety equipment to clubs, roadshows at events and through a free safety advisory scheme called SEA check.

 Go to: www.rnli.org.uk/what_we_do/sea_and_beach_safety