#rnli

So the RNLI are the main lifesaving operation at sea in the UK. They are a VOLUNTEER-RUN CHARITY that is not funded by the government and have to run on donations. All lifeboat operators risking their life to save people and earn no money. Often these missions may be in the middle of the night.

The presence of the RNLI is very clear when you live here they come into schools and remind us to respect the sea. Everyone loves them we have a town holiday where we organise community events to fund them.

But when the weather gets warm like this people come in from the cities and inner towns to visit the beach as is their right. But they do not grow up in this culture of respect.

I heard recently that at my nearest lifeboat station RNLI volunteers were harassed by the public because they told them they had to move their cars away from the lifeboat launch so they could go rescue someone. Because your parking space means more than the life of someone out at sea.

That doesn't even account for the reform UK megaracists who are mad at them for saving refugees trying to cross the channel from drowning

There are pictures on the surface that look ordinary, or even boring, but when you know are devastating. 44 years ago today the Solomon Browne left Penlee Lifeboat station in a storm to rescue the crew of the Union Star, they never returned, all hands were lost.

The station was left as a memorial to those lost, and these are pictures from inside that station, the equipment never again used, waiting for the boat that never came home.