2. The letters RNLI mean Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The letters RNLI mean Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The men and women who work on the lifeboats are called the “crew.” The men and women who work on the lifeboats are called the “crew.”

3. Their job is to rescue people out at sea in the lifeboat. Their job is to rescue people out at sea in the lifeboat. All the crew have to have important training to work on the lifeboats. All the crew have to have important training to work on the lifeboats.

4. The crew wear a drysuit, helmet, life jacket and gloves. The crew wear a drysuit, helmet, life jacket and gloves. When there is an emergency at sea, the coastguards telephone the lifeboat station. When there is an emergency at sea, the coastguards telephone the lifeboat station.

5. The crew could be tucked up in bed, at work or on an evening out when their pagers make a sound. The crew could be tucked up in bed, at work or on an evening out when their pagers make a sound. The pagers tell the crew they are needed in the lifeboat station. The pagers tell the crew they are needed in the lifeboat station. It can take between 7-12 minutes to get the boat ready to leave the station. It can take between 7-12 minutes to get the boat ready to leave the station.

6. Some people who work on the lifeboats are volunteers – This means they don’t get paid. Some people who work on the lifeboats are volunteers – This means they don’t get paid. When the crew are called to the lifeboat station, this is called “going out on a shout.” When the crew are called to the lifeboat station, this is called “going out on a shout.”