The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is one of the best known maritime rescue organizations in the world. This insightful guide from a RNLI veteran tells the story of the Institution from its beginnings during the reign of King George IV in the 19th century up through the hi-tech rescue maritime organization it has become. The topics addressed include early lifeboats and early lifeboat heroes; famous coxswains; early rescues and disasters; the arrival of motorized craft, as well as inshore and all-weather craft; the modern fleet and volunteer crewmember; the development and use of hovercraft; and the RNLI s bright future."