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RNLI Lifeboat Search and Rescue News
Afloat reports on the wide ranging search and rescue remit of the RNLI Lifeboat service in Ireland.
From charity fund raising activities at local lifeboat station level to the most extreme rescue operations, Afloat documents the work of the vounteer RNLI organisation right around our coast at over 43 stations in Ireland and on Irish lakes and rivers too. Afloat also covers RNLI rescue activities along the West Coast of Britain on the Irish Sea. The busiest stations, the maritime exercises, the new coxwains and crew, the new lifeboat arrivals and the new designs (including the new Shannon class) as well as timely marine warnings and RNLI safety checks. Afloat.ie attemtps to cover all the rescue work of the RNLI in Ireland.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland from 236 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
