The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a charity dedicated to saving lives at sea around the coasts of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It is an all-volunteer organisation founded in 1824 as the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, adopting the present name in 1854. The organisation is funded entirely by membership fees, voluntary donations and legacies from members of the public.
Since the RNLI was founded its lifeboats have saved over 136,275 lives.
The RNLI operates 5 classes of inshore lifeboats, both inflatable boats and RIBs, of 20-40 knots, and 5 classes of all-weather lifeboats with maximum speeds of 16-25 knots. It maintains an active fleet of 323 lifeboats based at 231 lifeboat stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
In the United Kingdom, ships in distress or the public reporting an accident must call HM Coastguard on MF radio, VHF radio or dialling 999 on a telephone. The Coastguard co-ordinates rescue at sea and may call on the RNLI or their own land-based rescue personnel or rescue helicopters to take part. Air-Sea rescue helicopters are provided by the Royal Navy and the Irish Air Corps.
The RNLI currently has over 200,000 members whose annual membership fees help to finance the organisation, supporting the 4,600 volunteer sea-going crew members, including over 300 women.
Roll of honour
1886 - St Anne's, Lytham and Southport lifeboats go to the assistance of a German barque, the Mexico in trouble in heavy seas. The St Anne's and Southport boats are lost with 27 lifeboatmen. (See Southport and St Anne's lifeboats disaster).
1899 - In one of the RNLI's most legendary feats, the Lynmouth lifeboat Louisa is hauled overland for over 10 hours to Porlock go to the aid of a ship. On arrival it launched immediately and stood by the stricken ship until daybreak, when a tug arrived.
1941 - Henry Blogg, in the Cromer lifeboat crew since 1894, won his third RNLI Gold Medal. He also received the George Cross and the British Empire Medal. He is known as 'The Greatest of all Lifeboatmen'
1981 - The Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne is lost going to the aid of the freighter Union Star. 16 lives are lost. (See Penlee lifeboat disaster).
Now the RNLI is calling for the public to pay greater attention to the warning flags on packed holiday beaches.
Andy Thomas, the RNLI beach lifeguard supervisor at Perranporth, said: "Those people ignoring the warnings to stay out of the sea were endangering their lives.
The RNLI said bathers should only swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim when a red flag is flying.
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