On Monday March 4, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) celebrated 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers, like those at Kyle of Lochalsh lifeboat station, giving their time to save others, all funded by public donations.
Kyle RNLI lifeboat station was founded in 1995 and in that time its crews have launched lifeboats 488 times and saved 14 lives.
When the lifeboat was first stationed in Kyle, it was housed inside the BUTEC Navy Base. The current lifeboat station was officially brought into service in 2000. There have been three Atlantic class lifeboats stationed in Kyle, with the most recent one, Spirit of Fred Olsen, arriving in 2012.
Andrew MacDonald, Emma Noble and Jonathon MacKinnon from Kyle RNLI lifeboat station joined representatives from RNLI lifesaving communities around the UK and Ireland at a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, London, last week to mark the 200th anniversary.
Andrew said: "Kyle has had an RNLI lifeboat station for 29 years, however, the RNLI has been saving lives for 200 years. We’re the latest generation carrying on the lifesaving work which has been carried out by a large number of volunteers here and around the coast.
"It was an honour for some of us from the station to be down in London attending the thanksgiving service to mark the occasion."
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 funding challenges and two World Wars.
Today, it operates 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland.
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 contributions from the public which have funded the service for the past two centuries.
RNLI chief executive Mark Dowie said: "It is through the courage and dedication of its incredible people that the RNLI has survived the tests of time, including tragic losses, funding challenges, two World Wars and, more recently, a global pandemic.
"As we mark the bicentenary, 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 and hope to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters who will take the RNLI into its next century and beyond."
Kyle RNLI is running a number of events to mark the 200th year of the RNLI including a quiz night in April, an afternoon tea in June, a maritime day in September, a bingo night in October and Santa’s grotto in December.
Keep an eye on the Kyle Lifeboat RNLI Facebook page for more details of these and other events.
For further information about the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, visit RNLI.org.
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