The RNLI stands for Royal National Lifeboat Institution and without a shadow of doubt, is one of my top favourite charities that I try to support, whenever I can with monetary donations etc.

If you are living outside the United Kingdom, you may indeed be reading this and thinking, just who or what is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution?

The RNLI as it is more commonly known as is a UK charitable organisation which saves lives at sea. Obviously with the UK being very well known as a maritime country, an island surrounded by sea, there are each year thousands upon thousands of people that take to the water every day, throughout the year, either fishing commercially or sailing and yachting for pleasure, not to mention the number of tourists each year who for one reason or another fall into trouble, unaware fully of the dangers of the sea, surrounding this countries coastline.

No matter the weather conditions, the RNLI is an emergency rescue service completely manned by unpaid volunteers, guys and women who themselves have ordinary jobs and families to support but will drop everything, to man the lifeboats to save anyone in trouble at sea or around the coast.

This sometimes means manning either the inshore lifeboats or the full lifeboats even if the weather conditions are at their extreme worst.

One can only admire and give total respect to these lifeboat crew members and all the volunteer staff who strive so diligently to keep the lifeboats in tip top, sea worthy condition, ready at all times for the next call out.

You can read more about the work of the RNLI by visiting their website here: Royal National Lifeboat Institution UK & Ireland

If you are impressed with the hard work that these people put in, to help complete strangers, unknown to them, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, those unfortunate souls in trouble at sea, risking their own lives often to do so, you may wish to send them a donation to keep this very valuable service going.

The RNLI receives NO government funding at all.

If you would like to comment about the RNLI, please do so below.

Have you been rescued by the RNLI, share your story. Do you support the RNLI, please share with everyone why you do that. Are you a RNLI lifeboat crew member or volunteer, please share your stories.

I would love to read and respond to your comments below.