The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) was founded in the nineteenth century for the preservation of life from shipwreck. It is a charity and (with the exception of tax relief on covenanted donations) receives no funding from the governments whose shores it protects (the United Kingdom and Eire). Its equipment and operations are paid for by voluntary public donations and the lifeboat crews themselves are (with the exception of only a single station) unpaid volunteers. The following link is to the RNLI's own website.http://www.rnli.org.uk/
The Institution is also concerned with the promotion of and education about safety at sea. A website supporting this is at http://www.seasafety.org.uk/.
Although it is an independent organisation, the RNLI's rescues are usually requested and coordinated by the Coastguard. If you see someone in trouble by or in the sea, and there is no lifeguard nearby, go to the nearest telephone and:
In the UK: dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
In Eire dial 112 and ask for Marine Rescue.
You will be asked:
What you have seen.
Where you saw the person in trouble, and where you are telephoning from.
When you discovered the person was in trouble, and how long ago that was.
Who you are. You should give your name.