Coast guard: Difference between revisions
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Arwel Parry (talk | contribs) Decribe UK+Ireland RNLI |
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In the [[United States]], the [[United States Coast Guard]] is a [[Federal]] agency under the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]] in [[peace|peacetime]]. In [[war|wartime]] it becomes part of the [[United States Navy]]. |
In the [[United States]], the [[United States Coast Guard]] is a [[Federal]] agency under the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]] in [[peace|peacetime]]. In [[war|wartime]] it becomes part of the [[United States Navy]]. |
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In the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[Republic of Ireland]] the rescuing of people at sea is the function of the '''Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)''', an all-volunteer organisation founded in [[1824]] which is funded entirely by membership fees, voluntary donations and legacies from members of the public. The RNLI operates 5 classes of inshore (inflatable) lifeboats of 20-40 knots, and 5 classes of all-weather lifeboats with maximum speeds of 16-25 knots around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. Air-Sea rescue helicopters are provided by the [[Royal Navy]] and the [[Irish Air Corps]]. The RNLI currently has over 200,000 members whose annual membership fees help to finance the organisation. |
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''See also'': [[Navy]], [[ship]]. |
''See also'': [[Navy]], [[ship]]. |
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===External link=== |
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[http://www.rnli.org.uk RNLI] |
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''Someone from the UK write a bit on the unique volunteer // lifeboat squadrons, and how they started and some still are private.'' |
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Revision as of 01:21, 17 July 2003
A Coast Guard is an organization devoted to saving the lives of shipwrecked mariners or people in danger at sea. In some countries it is part of the military. In other countries it is a civilian or even volunteer organization.
In the United States, the United States Coast Guard is a Federal agency under the United States Department of Homeland Security in peacetime. In wartime it becomes part of the United States Navy.
In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland the rescuing of people at sea is the function of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), an all-volunteer organisation founded in 1824 which is funded entirely by membership fees, voluntary donations and legacies from members of the public. The RNLI operates 5 classes of inshore (inflatable) lifeboats of 20-40 knots, and 5 classes of all-weather lifeboats with maximum speeds of 16-25 knots around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. Air-Sea rescue helicopters are provided by the Royal Navy and the Irish Air Corps. The RNLI currently has over 200,000 members whose annual membership fees help to finance the organisation.