RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, or RNLI, celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2024. This year the Royal Mint has designed and released a special commemorative fifty pence coin to celebrate.

RNLI commemorative fifty pence © The Royal Mint

Beginning in 1824, the RNLI has saved more than 144,000 people. The RNLI is made up of dedicated people who work together to make the waters around the United Kingdom and Ireland a safer place, whilst also helping people at home and abroad to save lives. Supported by expert staff, most of the RNLI’s people are volunteers – ordinary people doing extraordinary things – who launch and crew lifeboats, run shops and raise funds.

RNLI boat and helicopter crew at sea

Since 2021, the RNLI has been operating more than 240 lifeguard patrols across the beaches of the UK and Channel Islands. Its lifeguards provide in-water rescue, give first aid and speak to the public, teaching them about water safety to try and prevent people getting into trouble in the water.

The bravery and courage of the thousands of devoted volunteers helps the RNLI run a 24-hour life-saving rescue service for the UK and Ireland. RNLI volunteers also spend their time providing education to their local communities, helping people understand how to keep themselves safe in the water.

RNLI lifeguard team © Gary Perkin. Shutterstock.com

The first lifeboat was made 238 years ago in 1785 by a coachbuilder from London named Lionel Lukin. He was asked to turn a fishing boat into a lifeboat to help keep people safe in the water at Bamburgh Castle in North East of England. The lifeboat was the world’s first ‘unsinkable’ boat.

During the Second World War, the RNLI was involved in the war effort. The charity towed boats filled with top-secret information, helping them sneak across the seas, and even towed boats carrying bombs. The lifeboats had to make their way through minefields (areas with floating bombs), pick up pilots from crashed planes, bring injured soldiers back to shore and take food to remote villages.

Below you can see some more images of some RNLI crews through history.

 

 

Suggested links

Boats through the ages

Learn about Grace Darling

History of the RNLI