The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is celebrating 200 years of saving lives.
The charity has revealed its volunteer lifeboat crews in the Isle of Man have saved an incredible 1,665 lives during its two centuries of lifesaving.
Since the charity was founded in the Isle of Man back in 1824 by Sir William Hillary, its volunteer crews across the island’s five lifeboat stations have launched 3,154 times, saving 1,665 lives. In total across the British Isles and Ireland, 146,452 lives have been saved by the RNLI – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years.
During the 200-year lifesaving history, RNLI crews at Douglas Lifeboat Station have launched 667 times and saved 348 lives. At Peel Lifeboat Station they have launched 557 times and saved 254 lives. Volunteers at Port Erin Lifeboat Station have launched 436 times and saved 119 lives. Port St Mary’s lifeboat volunteers have launched 804 times and saved 293 lives and at Ramsey Lifeboat Station the crew have launched 690 times and saved 651 lives.
RNLI 200th celebrations are taking place all across the British Isles and Ireland with the charity’s lifeboat service spread across 238 stations, but the 200th celebrations are particularly significant for the Manx RNLI community as the Isle of Man represents the birthplace of this unique lifesaving institution.
In the early 19th century there was an average of 1,800 shipwrecks a year around our coasts – and the danger of shipwreck was an accepted way of life at sea. Living in Douglas, Sir William Hillary witnessed dozens of these shipwrecks and with the help of local people, he saved many lives.
Hillary refused to sit by and watch people drown and he was determined to do more. In 1823 he made an impassioned appeal to the nation detailing his plans for a lifeboat service manned by trained crews for all of the British Isles and Ireland, but Hillary’s noble idea initially fell on deaf ears.
However he didn’t give up, and after a year of rigorous campaigning Hillary’s vision became a reality on 4 March 1824. More than 30 gentlemen put their names to the fledgling charity at a public meeting in Bishopsgate’s City of London Tavern, supported by King George IV and the Prime Minister and the institution was born.
RNLI Heritage Archive and Research Manager, Hayley Whiting, says: ‘The RNLI’s founder, Sir William Hillary, witnessed the treacherous nature of the sea first-hand when living in the Isle of Man and he wanted to take action. His first appeal to the nation in 1823 did not have the desired result but, thankfully, he persevered and gained the support of several philanthropic members of society, who put their names to the charity at a meeting in the City of London Tavern on 4 March 1824.
‘Twelve resolutions were passed at that meeting, the core of which still stand as part of the RNLI’s Charter 200 years later. This shows how the RNLI’s values and purpose have remained unwavering for 200 years, despite the social and economic changes and challenges of the past two centuries.
‘Hillary’s vision was ambitious and forward-thinking, and no doubt he would be extremely proud to see the charity he founded still going strong today, and to see how much it has achieved.’
While much has changed in 200 years, two things have remained the same – the charity’s dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which have funded the service for the past two centuries.
To coincide with the RNLI’s bicentenary, an exciting partnership with Visit Isle of Man sees the launch of a new leaflet including a RNLI Trail Map highlighting the island’s role as the birthplace of the charity.
Significant sites across the island have been marked encouraging visitors to explore the lifesaving charity’s proud heritage. The leaflet is now available at visitor information centres, the Sea Terminal and Isle of Man Airport.
Other Manx activity includes the recently opened All at Sea exhibition at Manx National Heritage’s House of Manannan in Peel, delving into the Isle of Man’s remarkable maritime heritage and honouring the 200th anniversary of the RNLI.
At the beginning of the year a special RNLI 200 stamp collection was launched by the Isle of Man Post Office in collaboration with the charity. And the award-winning Manx Fynoderee Distillery have a fundraising partnership with the RNLI through a new Coastal Collection of Spirits to mark the 200th.
Allen Corlett, Chair of the Isle of Man 200th Anniversary Panel and Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Peel Lifeboat Station said:
‘2024 is an exciting time for every person that makes up the RNLI’s one crew, and it feels particularly special for us here in the Isle of Man, the birthplace of the charity.
‘We are thrilled to be collaborating with Visit Isle of Man and our other partners to celebrate the significance of the Isle of Man in the RNLI’s history. We hope to inspire a whole new generation of lifesavers and supporters to continue this lifesaving legacy for the next 200 years.’
Jo Partner, RNLI Head of Region for the Isle of Man says: ‘I am immensely grateful to everyone who is involved with the charity here in the Isle of Man – our volunteers, supporters and staff. Today is a hugely significant day in our history and an occasion we should all be very proud of. I know there are lots of events being planned across the island throughout 2024 to mark this very special celebration and I hope people enjoy being part of this significant piece of history.
‘I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those who play a part in making the RNLI the proud organisation is it today – which really is a cause for celebration.’
4 Comments