RNLI celebrates 200th birthday – with Lincolnshire’s three stations playing a key part in the charity’s life-saving story

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) – the charity which saves lives at sea – celebrates its 200th birthday today (Monday, March 4) and has played a key role in Lincolnshire life.

Since it was founded in 1824, RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved an incredible 146,277 lives. The charity has launched its lifeboats 380,328 times, while its lifeguards have responded to 303,030 incidents on some of the UK’s busiest beaches.

Funded by voluntary donations and with lifeboats crewed by specially trained volunteers, it is a unique organisation. There are 238 RNLI stations across the UK and Ireland – three of which are located in Lincolnshire at Skegness, Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes – plus 240 lifeguarded beaches, all providing a ring of safety around our coast.

From triumphs to tragedies; from oar-powered vessels to the boats packed with cutting-edge technology used today; from introducing the first lifeboats on the River Thames, to rolling out a UK beach lifeguard service; from running the UK’s biggest ever drowning prevention campaigns to working with others to save lives overseas – the RNLI has a remarkable 200-year story to tell.

Founded in a London tavern on March 4, 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 including tragic disasters, funding challenges, and two world wars.

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Throughout its anniversary year the charity will be running events and activities to remember its important history and celebrate the modern life-saving service it is today, while hoping to inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters.

Exhibitions, outdoor events, special services of thanksgiving, partnerships and education programmes are just some of the activities which will be taking place across the UK and Ireland. There will also be a special 200th anniversary retail range available through its shops and online.

Read more: RNLI at 200: Two centuries of life-saving history in pictures

RNLI chief executive Mark Dowie said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to be at the helm of the RNLI for approaching five years, and to see the charity reach 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, it is truly remarkable.

“It is through the courage and dedication of its incredible people that the RNLI has survived the test of time, including tragic losses, funding challenges, two World Wars and, more recently, a global pandemic.

“In 2024, 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; we celebrate the world class lifesaving service we provide today, based on our 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.

“I am immensely grateful to everyone who is involved with the charity – our volunteers, supporters and staff.

“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 everyone.”

Two centuries have seen vast developments in lifeboats and kit used by RNLI lifesavers – from the early oar powered boats to today’s technology packed ones, which are 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.

While innovations over the past 200 years have changed how the charity saves lives, many things have remained the same. The volunteering ethos remains at the heart of the RNLI and is what makes it so special – volunteers have given their time and commitment over the past two centuries, as they continue to do today, while generous donations have continued to power the RNLI’s lifesaving work.

Read more: New 50p coin to honour 200 years of the RNLI

“The RNLI’s founder, Sir William Hillary, witnessed the treacherous nature of the sea-first hand when living on the Isle of Man and he wanted to take action,” adds RNLI heritage archive and research manager Hayley Whiting.

“His first appeal to the nation 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 March 4, 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.”

* For more information on the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, or to donate, visit RNLI.org/200

The RNLI in Lincolnshire

*Skegness has operated an all-weather lifeboat for more than 175 years. Today two lifeboats cover one of the region’s busiest beaches and surrounding areas.

Skegness Lifeboat Station was established in 1825, the year after the RNLI itself was founded and two years before the Lincolnshire Coast Shipwreck Association, which maintained the stations on the Lincolnshire coast until 1864, when it was amalgamated with the institution. From 1825 until 1864 lifeboats launched on 50 occasions and saved 61 lives.

It currently has 34 operational crew and its Class D lifeboat D739 was placed on service on September 2, 2010.

*Mablethorpe Lifeboat Station operates two inshore boats – an Atlantic 85 and a D-class. It opened in 1883 when it replaced Theddlethorpe, three miles to the north.

The station temporarily closed in 1917 when it became difficult to obtain a volunteer crew during wartime and closed permanently in 1920. An inshore lifeboat station was established in May 1965 when a Class D lifeboat was placed on service. Its currently has 24 operational crew. Its crews have been awarded with nine medals for gallantry.

*Cleethorpes Lifeboat Station history can be traced back as far as 1868. It moved to Grimbsy in 1882 as there was difficulty manning and launching from Cleethorpes. In 1965 an inshore station was built at Cleethorpes, renamed Humber Mouth, which closed in 1980. Seven years later an inshore station was re-opened with the placing on service of a Class D lifeboat.

The site has 34 operational crew, and a new lifeboat station is currently being built.

To mark the 200th anniversary Cleethorpes RNLI is planning to have 200 paddleboarders in the bay on Sunday, March 9.

Do you have any memories to share of the RNLI? Post your thoughts in the comments below...