RNLI/Mike

the waters around our coastline. We have continued ourcampaign to encourage the wearing of lifejackets whenafloat with key messages being delivered through multiplemedia channels.Maintain the capability to deploy up to 16 Type B floodrescue teams:a. the first 2 teams to reach any rendezvous point within theUK, RoI and IoM within 6 hours of requestb. an international team of 6 boats and 25 personnel to anyUK port of departure within 24 hours.> > Flood rescue teams were deployed nationally on 8 occasionsin 2012, principally in response to floods in the south west ofEngland and Wales. One of these deployments to Umberleighin Devon resulted in the first award of the RNLI’s BronzeMedal for Gallantry to flood rescue team members whosaved the life of a woman who had been swept from her carinto a nearby river.PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIESThe RNLI saves lives at sea throughout the UK, RoI, IoM and CIthrough four principal activities – lifeboats, lifeguards, coastalsafety and education. It also operates a flood rescue team,available for national and international deployment. These fourstrands make up the RNLI’s Concept of Operations, which isunderpinned by extensive fundraising activity.The charity is founded on volunteers, who make up 95% ofthe RNLI team, including 4,600 volunteer crew members, 3,000volunteer shore crew and lifeboat station management, anddedicated supporters who raise funds, give safety advice and helpin our shops, museums and offices. They are supported by a coreof staff at RNLI Headquarters in Poole and at locations aroundthe UK and RoI.The RNLI was set up in 1824 to provide a lifeboat service andcurrently operates 346 lifeboats and other craft at 236 lifeboatstations, including four on the River Thames and four inlandstations at Lough Derg, Lough Ree, Enniskillen, and Loch Ness.The RNLI covers more than 19,000 miles of coastline andcontinually reviews its operations, opening or closing lifeboatPhoto: RNLI/Nigel Millard5