Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Error creating thumbnail:

Royal National Lifeboat Institution
[[File:|250px|alt=]]
Formation	1824
Type	Non-profit organization
Headquarters	Poole, Dorset, England
Membership	N/A
Language	N/A
Leader title	N/A
Leader name	N/A
Website	www.rnli.org

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity that provides a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service around the coasts of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. Founded in 1824, the RNLI is a non-profit organization that relies on volunteers and donations to carry out its mission of saving lives at sea.

History

The RNLI was founded in 1824 by Sir William Hillary, who was inspired to create a national lifeboat service after witnessing numerous shipwrecks off the coast of the Isle of Man. The organization was originally called the "National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck" and was granted the "Royal" prefix in 1854 by Queen Victoria.

Operations

The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations and has a fleet of over 400 lifeboats. The lifeboats are crewed by volunteers who are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The RNLI also operates a lifeguard service on over 240 beaches in the UK and Channel Islands.

Lifeboat Types

The RNLI operates several types of lifeboats, including:

• All-weather lifeboats (ALBs): Designed to operate in all weather conditions, these lifeboats are capable of high-speed operations and can carry out rescues far from shore.
• Inshore lifeboats (ILBs): Smaller and faster, these lifeboats are used for rescues closer to shore and in shallow waters.

Training

The RNLI provides extensive training for its volunteer crew members, including:

• Sea survival techniques
• First aid and casualty care
• Navigation and seamanship
• Search and rescue operations

Funding

The RNLI is funded primarily through donations, legacies, and fundraising activities. It does not receive any government funding, which allows it to remain independent and focused on its mission.

Impact

Since its founding, the RNLI has saved over 142,700 lives. The organization is widely respected for its professionalism, dedication, and the bravery of its volunteers.

Also see

• Coastguard
• Search and rescue
• Maritime safety
• Volunteerism