The Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) is a charity organisation whose main objective is to save people who get into dangerous situations while in the water. Since its foundation in 1824, the organisation has pioneered lifesaving developments, with its team of lifesavers showing courage in saving lives at sea.
RNLI’s history dates back to 1785 when the first unsinkable lifeboat, purpose-built, was designed and patented by Lionel Lukin. Close to 40 years later (1824), Sir William Hillary actualised his dream of establishing a service for saving lives at sea when he refused to sit and let people drown. Early in the 19th century, shipwrecks were accepted as part of sea life, and yearly there were around 1,800 shipwrecks on the coasts around the Isle of Man (where Hillary lived).
In early 1823, Mr. Hillary sent an appeal to the nation by publishing a pamphlet describing a plan for a lifeboat service that was distributed to prominent citizens, ministers and the British Navy. His idea was not immediately taken up, which prompted him to rebrand the proposal and direct it to the philanthropists in London society. It caught the eye of a few benefactors, who quickly became a formidable committee that pushed the campaign.
On 4th March 1824, over 30 benefactors put pen to paper on the formation of the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, with the team passing 12 resolutions that would guide the organisation’s work. These resolutions have stood the test of time, and form part of the charter that guides the RNLI. This was a landmark moment for Sir William Hillary, whose efforts had borne fruit and kickstarted an organisation that would save countless lives in the decades to come. It wasn’t until 1854 that the institution changed its name to RNLI.
The Work
In Ireland and the UK, the RNLI provides a fleet of all-weather lifeboats that are strategically placed along coastlines. These lifeboats are available all through the year, along with some inshore craft that are used when the weather permits. Additionally, the charity also responds to flood emergencies, has a seasonal lifeguard service, and conducts research and education programmes on coastal safety.
At an international level, the RNLI works with other organisations that share its passion for saving lives at sea, and together they raise awareness about the global drowning problem. They also help organisations to develop their prevention and rescue capacity, especially those that operate within high-risk environments.
Since it is a charitable organisation, the RNLI depends on the generous donations and contributions from well-wishers, institutions and those who share its philosophy, which is to use volunteers wherever possible. Among the many contributors who wish to see the charity succeed is Thomas Noel Collister Jackson, who makes regular contributions to support the RNLI’s work.
Saving Lives
Despite the RNLI’s best efforts, drowning is still a problem around the UK and Ireland’s coastline. Globally, drowning is an epidemic that deserves more attention. The RNLI figures that a solution to this problem must take multiple approaches, including the need to influence policy-makers and regulators to engage in more effective partnerships; expand the lifeguard service at home and help other communities to establish their lifeguard services; develop relationships with search and rescue organisations to continue with lifesaving operations; and educate the masses on safety through messages, behaviour change campaigns and closer interactions with communities.
In the long-term, the RNLI wants to be recognised as a sea rescue service in Ireland and the UK that employs its expertise to implement preventative action and build partnerships at the local, national and international levels to tackle the drowning problem.