the Royal National Lifeboat Institution
/ðə ˌrɔɪəl ˌnæʃnəl ˈlaɪfbəʊt ɪnstɪtjuːʃn/
/ðə ˌrɔɪəl ˌnæʃnəl ˈlaɪfbəʊt ɪnstɪtuːʃn/
(abbreviation the RNLI)
- a British charity, formed in 1824, which provides boats to rescue people at sea around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. The people who work in the rescue service, which is available at all times, do so without pay. The charity now also provides lifeguards to help people who get into difficulties while swimming from beaches.