Local RNLI crew members enjoy 200th anniversary celebrations

Local RNLI crew members enjoy 200th anniversary celebrations

6 March 2024

RNLI crew members from Newcastle and Portaferry joined their colleagues from across the province at Belfast harbour recently as part of the charity’s 200th anniversary celebrations.

Molly Crowe from Portaferry and Andrew Lynas from Newcastle were representing their respective lifeboat stations at the event.

Monday officially marked the RNLI’s 200th anniversary of saving lives at sea and on inland waters.

Lifeboat crews across the UK and Ireland have saved an incredible 146,277 lives during its two centuries of lifesaving.

Province-wide, the RNLI’s 10 lifeboat stations have launched 9,472 times with their volunteers saving 1,535 lives and coming to the aid of thousands more. 

Since the introduction of lifeguards to Northern Ireland in 2011, the RNLI’s seasonal teams based along the Causeway Coast and in Co Down have responded to 2,894 incidents, coming to the aid of 3,461 people, 47 of whom were lives saved.

Among those to be rescued is Matthew Best from Lisburn who got into difficulty while surfing on the North Coast.

Since the charity was founded in 1824 following an appeal from Sir William Hillary — who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks — the RNLI has continued saving lives at sea throughout the tests of its history.

The past two centuries have seen vast developments in the lifeboats and kit used by the charity’s lifesavers – from the early oar-powered vessels to today’s technology-packed boats, which are now built in-house by the charity and from the rudimentary cork lifejackets of the 1850s to the full protective kit each crew member is now issued with.

 The RNLI’s lifesaving reach and remit has also developed over the course of 200 years. 

The charity designs and builds its own lifeboats and runs domestic and international water safety programmes.

Today, among the 238 lifeboat stations across Ireland and the UK, 10 operate out of Northern Ireland including two inland stations on Lough Erne at Enniskillen and Carrybridge in Co Fermanagh, and eight along the coast at Red Bay, Portrush, Larne in Co Antrim and Bangor, Donaghadee, Portaferry, Newcastle and Kilkeel in Co Down. 

Additionally, the charity provides a seasonal lifeguard service locally at Tyrella and Murlough in addition to Downhill, Castlerock, Benone, Whiterocks, Portrush East, Portrush West, Portstewart Strand and Ballycastle on the Causeway Coast and at Cranfield in Co Down.

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.

RNLI Trustee Paddy McLaughlin, said it’s an “honour and a privilege” to see and be a part of this lifesaving organisation as it reaches its bicentenary. 

“For a charity to have survived 200 years based on the time and commitment of volunteers, and the sheer generosity of the public donating to fund it, is truly remarkable,” he continued. “It is through the courage 

and dedication of its incredible people that the RNLI has survived the tests of time. 

“As we mark the bicentenary of the RNLI, we remember the achievements and commitment of all those who have been part of the RNLI family over the past two centuries.”

Paddy said it was a time to celebrate the world-class lifesaving service the charity provides today, based on its 200 years of learning, expertise and innovation.

“And we hope to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters who will take the RNLI into its next century and beyond,” he continued.

“We are immensely grateful to everyone who is involved with the charity in Northern Ireland – our volunteers, supporters and staff.”

Paddy added: “This is our watch and it is our role to keep our charity safe and secure so it can continue to save lives into the future, as we strive in our vision to save every one.”

Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters.