4 things you can learn from nautical LEGO figures

Most of us are aware of the work the RNLI does, and now the charity has recruited some new smaller helpers to spread the word of safety at sea.  The Lifeboat Crew twitter account is the idea of RNLI volunteer Simon Perks, who uses the LEGO figures to educate others on the valuable work of the RNLI.

Here we present five of the best images from Simon and his little guys, tweeting @thelifeboatcrew:

1.) The Lifeboat Crew highlight the importance of diving equipment

Wrapped in diving equipment, including a camera for crucial pictures beneath the depths, three members of the Lifeboat Crew warn scuba divers about the dangers of diving.

With the summer season approaching the Lifeboat Crew are keen to highlight the risks involved and the importance of respecting the water.

One happy Lifeboat Crew member stands proud with a fish on the end of his rod as anglers are alerted to the importance of wearing a life jacket while out fishing at sea.

According to the RNLI in the last 5 years, 24 anglers have died while fishing from the rocks and shore. Of the 16 of these fatalities reviewed by the RNLI, none of these were wearing a lifejacket or personal flotation device. RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews also rescued 240 shore anglers and saved 28 lives between 2010 and 2014.

Two Lifeboat Crew members are on the lookout for trouble. Poised with binoculars and a telephone, two vital pieces of equipment for search and rescue, the mini figures send out a message about to the public.

While the message seems jovial it has a serious point. The Coastguard completed over 2,600 rescue missions in 2015 with the most significant rise assisting people who got into difficulty on the shoreline, sometimes being swept into the sea by breaking waves.

It's not all safety for the little guys though, they do get the opportunity to get out and experience events.

Here they are using their celebrity status to attend the official naming of the Posset Lifeboat Atlantic 85 named My Lady Anne.

They were also later spotted at the recovery of My Lady Anne as it returned from its first outing. They are slowly gathering quite the celebrity profile.

For more fun but important safety updates from the little guys follow their Twitter handle @thelifeboatcrew