RNLI SOS Day occurs on January 29 this year. The Royal National Lifeboat Institute (R.N.L.I.) is a charity that provides 24/7 lifesaving and search service around the U.K. and Ireland. Their goal is to save and help anyone who may get into a crisis with any body of water. They are an emergency organization that is independent of the government and coastguard. Volunteers make up most of the organization and the operations of the lifeboats themselves, which consists of 223 R.N.L.I. lifeboats in the U.K. and Ireland. It’s been almost 200 years of operations for R.N.L.I. and through their education programs and water safety work, they hope to inform and train anyone who would be willing to join and help.
History of RNLI SOS day
The R.N.L.I. started in 1824 with the goal and philosophy to “provide our lifesaving service using volunteers wherever possible, with voluntary donations using the funds needed to do so.” Their principle and purpose go back to being a charity and organization that saves lives at sea. They value every life at stake and do their best to inhibit the loss of life. Specifically, they provide lifeboats, coastal safety, flood response, and even research and educational plans and programs.
They provide a 24/7 search, rescue, and emergency response, which is mainly their field of expertise. They also administer a seasonal lifeguard service. For every year since they started almost 200 years ago, their lifeboats and lifeguards who are predominantly volunteers have saved and rescued over 143,000 lives. They work together with different partners, organizations, and communities with the mission of overseeing, educating, and influencing those who are endangered from drowning. As they heavily rely on supporters and volunteers, they stay separate from local coastguards and are independent of the government.
Today, they continue to provide lifesaving boats and lifeguard services. They also have created an R.N.L.I. college to be able to educate and disseminate more information on water and coastal safety. They know that to be able to save more lives, they need to continue taking the initiative to partner with more organizations and communities and identify more life-saving opportunities and obstacles, especially with regulators and policy-makers. They ask for the help of anyone who would like to help them through their cause just by supporting, through monetary and non-monetary means, and by publicizing their ideals so that no one gets lost in the water again.
RNLI SOS day timeline
Sir William Hillary’s goal to have a service dedicated to saving lives at sea is fulfilled in London.
Captain Ward, who is an R.N.L.I. inspector, achieves a great feat by inventing the cork lifejacket.
Leonora Preston designs and modifies the R.N.L.I. flag after her brother is saved by lifeboat volunteers.
R.N.L.I. lifeboats rescue more than 5,000 lives with its boat launches during the war.
On July 28, RNLI College, also known as Lifeboat college, is opened by Her Majesty The Queen for education and R.N.L.I. training.
RNLI SOS day FAQs
Does the R.N.L.I. receive government funding?
The R.N.L.I. receives no U.K. government funding. 92% of their income comes from the donations and generosity of those who support the charity.
How can you contact your local lifeboat station?
You may contact your nearest local lifeboat station by entering your postcode through their search facility, which will show the contact details.
How much does the R.N.L.I. spend on international work?
In 2017, they spent approximately 2.9 million pounds, equivalent to 1.9% of the R.N.L.I.’s total charitable spending.
How to Observe RNLI SOS day
Volunteer
There are many R.N.L.I. volunteering opportunities that can be a lifelong commitment of being a member or even very easy and convenient ways of supporting the charity. One way is by simply sharing beach safety messages with friends and family through word of mouth or social media. Another way you can help is by volunteering at an R.N.L.I. event and even becoming a local ambassador.
Donate
Donations will go a long way and there are many means of doing so. Through their official website, you can choose to make a one-time donation or commit to a monthly donation. They also conduct other donations through online shopping on Amazon or even a once-off donation in memory of a loved one.
Invite the R.N.L.I.
You can choose to invite the charity to your event and help educate the people you know. The R.N.L.I. gives free presentations and workshops on all things related to water safety and supports their cause. All their workshops are delivered by trained volunteers so if you think your school, family, or even friends would be interested, don’t hesitate to contact them.
5 Interesting Facts About The R.N.L.I.
Medium-term goals are made
The R.N.L.I. has set six outcomes for all volunteers and people to strive for.
Online learning benefits
The R.N.L.I. provides online learning which is suitable for young people to learn about charity and water safety.
The first steam-driven lifeboat
In 1890, the first-ever steam-driven lifeboats were created for operation.
Gender does not matter
In 1969, Elizabeth Hostvedt became the first woman to be trained and qualified to work on an inshore lifeboat.
R.N.L.I. lifeguards operate
It was in the early 2000s that R.N.L.I. lifeguards started to patrol beaches.
Why RNLI SOS day is Important
The R.N.L.I. helps save lives
Their vision is always to prioritize the safety and welfare of every person. They put it under their watch to commit that no one ever drowns again. Ultimately, this charity helps so many lives and we need them to continue running.
They need support
The R.N.L.I. is majorly run and supported by volunteers who want to help make a difference in the lives of everyone in danger. They will continuously need manpower, monetary aid, and even awareness to be able to keep their mission and vision alive and working.
They affect everyone
Whether you know it or not, the R.N.L.I. plays an important role in every person, young or old. They are involved in varying activities and groups, whether it be at the sea, beach, fundraising event, or even online, and they believe every person they come into contact with, whatever race or disposition, should be guaranteed safeguarding.
RNLI SOS day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | January 29 | Saturday |
| 2023 | January 29 | Sunday |
| 2024 | January 29 | Monday |
| 2025 | January 29 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | January 29 | Thursday |
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