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The
RNLI is the charity that provides a 24-hour lifesaving service around
the coastline of the UK and Republic of Ireland. The volunteer
crews give up their time and comfort to carry out rescues in difficult
and often dangerous conditions. RNLI volunteers across the
UK and Republic of Ireland are united by a willingness to commit time
and energy to a cause about which they are passionate. It is because
so many crew members, shore helpers, fundraisers and others are volunteers
that such a high proportion of funds can be spent on first-class lifeboats
and equipment.
Lifeboat crews are mostly volunteers, who come from all walks of life,
and give up their time and comfort to carry out rescues and save lives
at sea on the lifeboats. With over 4,800 lifeboat crew members
in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, of which over 340 are
women, lifeboat crews are dedicated and make a major commitment which
ultimately includes risking their own lives. They respond at a moment's
notice, no matter where they are or what they are doing when the pager
goes off. Crews are regularly called away from their families, their
beds and their work, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Often they’ll
leave a place of comfort to brave the cold and wet in situations that
test their skill, strength and courage. Their lifesaving work is essential,
often difficult and regularly dangerous.
Crew members on all weather and inshore lifeboats are all volunteers.
Anybody can become a crew member providing they are physically fit,
can learn the necessary skills and can work as part of a team. They
work with the coxswain or helmsman and carryout duties to operate the
lifeboat during rescues and also ensure the safety of those people that
have been rescued in these dangerous operations. |
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The
RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland
(SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland.
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The commitment
of crew members isn't only measured in the time spent involved in rescues.
Increasingly, new equipment and faster boats also means that regular
training programmes account for much of their time. This training includes
boat handling, radio communications, first aid, navigation and radar
training.
The number of crew on a lifeboat varies according to the type of lifeboat;
generally three on an inshore lifeboat and six on an all weather lifeboat,
including the coxswain or helmsman.
It may surprise you to know that the RNLI is a fully charitable organisation
and as such relies entirely on fund-raising to stay operational, there
is absolutely no government funding given to this national service.
>>Sponsorship...
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