The Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM) is a registered charity that saves lives at sea and inshore waters in The Netherlands. The KNRM is a foundation that is supported entirely by volunteer contributions, legacies and bequest. The foundation does not get financial support by the government.

Lifeboatcrewmembers are volunteers, professionally trained and 24/7 available.

The KNRM has 45 lifeboatstations and a fleet of 80 lifeboats. Various types of lifeboats are used, depending on the principal area of deployment of the boats. In the working area of the Institution some 1.300 volunteers are ready to sail 24 hours a day, in all seasons.